Top 5 Books on Writing

Written by Daniel Stefanelli

There’s no one formula for how to be a writer. Some people listen to music while they write, while others work in complete silence; some write at night and others in the morning; some people find writing poetry comes naturally, but others can’t get past “roses are red/ violets are blue . . .”

But there is one thing that all great writers seem to have in common: they read.

Reading is an essential tool for anyone who’s serious about improving their writing. Not only can reading be a powerful source of inspiration, but it can also help us learn and develop as writers.

Why? Well, when we read we can learn to recognize what works and what doesn’t in other people’s writing. We begin to internalize different styles and sentence structures. And, with a little practice, we can learn to ask questions about why an author chose to write their work the way they did. It’s a process we sometimes call “meta cognition” (literally: thinking about thinking) and some scholars of writing have suggested that its a key skill in learning how to be a better writer. It helps you move from wondering what you should say in your essay to thinking about how you should say it. Meta cognition is thought to be so important that some writing teachers are developing curricula based around the idea of “writing about writing.”

The good news is reading anything can be beneficial to your writing, but if you’re serious about the “meta” part of meta cognition, consider reading books about writing. Here are some of my favorite books about writing to help you get started:

1 – On Writing Well by William Zinsser

William Zinsser was a renowned journalist and writing professor. On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction offers tips on the fundamentals of writing prose with Zinsser’s characteristic clarity and warmth. If you’d like to learn more about writing nonfiction but aren’t sure where to start, you can’t go wrong with this classic best-seller.

2 – How to Write a Lot by Paul J. Silvia

Are you the kind of writer who struggles with deadlines? If you’re no stranger to all-nighters, then How to Write A Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing can change your life. Funny and encouraging, Silvia has tips for writers of all levels to master productivity and make procrastination a thing of the past. This book is especially helpful for graduate students and anyone interested in publishing their work.

3 – On Writing by Stephen King

You probably know Stephen King for his seemingly endless list of best-selling horror novels, but this memoir is every bit as entertaining. Readers get a first-hand account of King’s rags-to-riches story while learning tips and tricks from one of the most celebrated novelists of a generation. Keep in mind, this is Stephen King we’re talking about, so be prepared for some adult language!

4 – Becoming an Academic Writer by Patricia Goodson

This is the closest thing I’ve found to a complete guide to improving your academic writing. Not only does Goodson share current research from writing education in simple, accessible language, but the book also contains more than fifty exercises for practicing every aspect of academic writing. Learn how to manage your time, master academic genres, and even strengthen your academic vocabulary all with simple exercises you can do at your own pace. It’s like a Write Site tutor you can carry in your backpack!

5 – The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

If you’ve never read anything by Annie Dillard, you’ve been missing out. The Pulitzer prize winner has published breathtakingly beautiful collections of poetry, memoir, and non-fiction essays. The Writing Life is a collection of short essays that will change the way you think about writing forever––and introduce you to what might be your new favorite author.

Fighting Procrastination in Self-Isolation (For the Writer)

Written by Sam Steelman

I haven’t been getting a lot of work done in the midst of the mandatory self-isolation due to COVID-19, but I am 100% sure I am not alone. I figured I would share what I have learned! I attempted to do some slight web-surfing on tips to fight writer’s block or procrastination, but a lot of the suggestions were “go to a book store,” “visit friends and family without using your car (train, airplane, or bus),” or “change your work scenery.” As awesome as all of this sounds, many of us are not able to leave our houses for a while; however, a lot of us are still working remotely or doing school assignments from home, and it can be hard just sitting around all day! So here are some ideas to get our creative juices flowing that will motivate us to get some words on the page.

Do something else!

I know this is vague, but what I mean is do something completely different. Don’t just work on a different assignment or scroll through social media. I mean do something weird. Get up and dance, talk to yourself (out loud), or practice your wide vocabulary. Get your brain thinking again! It is easy for all of us to just sit, stare at the computer screen, and eventually fall asleep due to complete boredom and no interest in your writing. Do something you wouldn’t usually do – surprise yourself!

Write something spontaneously creative!

I know what you are thinking; “Write something creative? How am I supposed to do that if I have writer’s block?” Here is what I am talking about: look around your room/office and pick something. It can be as insignificant as a winter scarf. When you think of a scarf what do you think of? Snow? Christmas? A specific memory? Write about it! Just start with the first sentence, and the flow will come. Trust your writing process. Once you write a short little creative piece and get your brain circulation flowing, you will have an easier time forming your arguments and getting that flow you want!

Brainstorm to some of your favorite music!

Instrumental music is really good for study time and keeping extreme focus, but it’s also great for thinking of new ideas and spawning interesting arguments. I think it is extremely beneficial to turn on a playlist you like on Spotify (that’s the app I like to use). For example, I was having a really hard time getting started on writing this blog post, but then I turned on one of my daily mix playlists. The music really helped me get some words on the page and think about how I might craft my argument.

For the love of creativity, write what you want to write!

If you have lost that spark you once had to write in your free time, my goodness just write what you want to write about! Stop thinking about the reader! I know that sounds bad but hear me out. It is so much easier to write when you care about what you are writing! Make it whatever you want! Talk about the controversial thing you really believe in! Use a cuss-word or two (or three)! If you start writing in your free time again and actually enjoy it, all of that formal writing you have to do will come much easier. Start practicing your writing again. It’s good for you!

Hopefully, this helps in fighting that writer’s block and procrastination. Right now is an extremely rough time for all of us, so utilize your time stuck at home to rediscover your passion for writing. I will leave you with this quote from Toni Morrison:

If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.