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Full-time Student of my Craft
While writing is my career, I’m also a full-time student of my craft. I learn something new every day. I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge, though I admit it’s more fun to learn things as an adult without the pressure of pop quizzes and semester finals. History didn’t hold the same excitement for me in school as it does now.
I have to be careful to not get too caught up in my research for a book, otherwise I lose writing time. Many of my characters are fortunate enough to travel to exotic locations, so when I look up those places I easily get lost in the culture and beauty of those places.
Aside from research, I continue to learn about writing, voice, POV, character development, character traits, adding sexual tension, and well the list goes on.
While there isn’t a book that will propel you to instant success, there are plenty of books out there to use as a guidebook, for motivation, to enrich, and support your efforts. Or perhaps you’ll find a book that helps you through a rough patch, shows you another way to look at things, or just plain entertains you.
I have a strange fetish for buying writing related books. Some I read, some I skim through, others I pour over, earmark, highlight, and live by. Here are some favorites:
The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman Buy Link
The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Novelists by Andrew McAleer Buy Link
Fabulous Creatures and Other Magical Beings by Joel Levy Buy Here
The Encyclopedia of Mythology by Arthur Cotterell Buy Link
Encyclopedia of Gods by Michael Jordan Buy Link
Idiots Guide to Writing Erotic Romance by Alison Kent Buy Link
A Field Guide to Demons by Carol and Dinah Mack Buy Link
The Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale Buy Link
Those are just a few. I never know where I’m going to gleam inspiration so I also have a large selection of books on Celtic mythology, Tarot, divination, psychic abilities, witchcraft and magic books, vampire and shifter books, and more. My favorite finds tend to be at old mom and pop bookstores. The books tend to be faded, worn, well used, and a wealth of inspiration.
I have a huge wishlist of books I still want to get on subjects from writing queries, finding an agent, pitches, and plot points. I like to reward myself with a new or used book after I’ve had a book come out. Sort of a pat on the back for all my hard work.
Books truly are magical, no matter what they are about.
Ooh, I love new booklists. I’ve studied THE FIRST FIVE PAGES.
I gotta check out ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYTHOLOGY. I own and I’ve read at least a bazillion books on mythology and folktales from around the world. All the stories I write are inspired and/or influenced by myths.
Here are some of my favorite writing books-
SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS
SAVE THE CAT! by Blake Snyder. This is actually a book on screenwriting, but structuring a story does not come naturally to me. Learning about screenwriting has helped a lot.