One of the best things you can do for yourself, as a writer, is not fall into the trap of assuming you understand what makes a good story simply because you can recognize them. A good story tends to be easy to spot. You start reading a book and twenty minutes later, you realize it's somehow been five hours and you finished the novel in one sitting. You think to yourself, "what an engaging story," and pat yourself on the back for being one step closer to reaching your yearly reading goal. This is all well and good, but when you sit down to write your own book, don't expect to produce a riveting story just because you have read them.
While I cannot deny that reading books in your genre is imperative to writing a good novel, I must also insist that you learn the different types of reading and not confuse one for the other. There are three types of reading that are relevant to writing:
Reading as a Reader - This is the type of reading you do for pleasure. You just read and immerse yourself in the story and either enjoy the book or put it down if it's not for you.
Reading as a Writer - This is the type of reading you do when you analyze the structure, characters, language, and theme of other books with the intention of understanding what works and what doesn't.
When you decide to write your own book, I highly recommend going back and re-reading some of your favorite novels to get a sense of what it is about them that you found engaging.
Is the author especially adept at portraying their character's feelings?
What was the pacing like and did you enjoy that aspect of the story?
How much world-building information did the author reveal and at what points?
What was the theme of the book and how was it reflected by the protagonist's transformation?
Reading as a Student - I must admit, I made this one up, but bear with me. Reading as a student, the way I'm thinking of it, refers to seeking out and consuming knowledge on the actual craft of writing.
This is the type of reading that this blog post will be concerned with. Below I provide a list of titles that will help you become a better writer by teaching you what it is exactly that makes a good story and how you can use the knowledge to write one yourself.
Let's dive in!
Books to Help you Write Better Stories
Story Genius by Lisa Cron
Cron explains the importance of fleshing out your main character's inner world before creating their outer world. In other words, she argues that all stories are character-driven in that the events that happen as part of the plot, should be happening to advance the protagonist's character arc. All plot points should push your protagonist forward in their transformation from who they were at the beginning of the story to who they will become by the end.
Story Genius also walks you through an example that is carried from beginning to end, illustrating how to apply each new insight and making the lessons much more accessible.
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/3LJqL9Z
Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder
This is the OG writing book. In it you will find the 15 story "beats" that Snyder has found make up almost every successful Western story. Though it was originally written for screenwriters, many authors have found it helpful when creating their story's structure ─ so much so, that Jessica Brody created an adapted version, specifically for novelists!
If you want to cover all your bases, I'd suggest you read both. However, if you're not interested in re-reading a lot of the same information, I'd suggest picking up Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody, instead.
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/3Nsnayl
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Brody's take on Snyder's Save the Cat! is a thorough exploration of his proposed 15 story beats and how to best approach them when writing novels of different genres. This books sits open on my desk whenever I'm doing structural edits and I highly recommend it for anyone who has ever felt like their story wasn't going anywhere or struggled to make sense of the middle portion of their manuscript.
As Brody points out, the beat sheet is not a formula, so much as a description of what already exists within most stories
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/3ngHVSX
Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes
Hayes developed a beat sheet specifically for romance writers, but let me tell you, this book is worth a read if there is even the slightest hint of romance lurking in the subplots of your novel. It offers insight into what makes readers fall in love with the love between characters and how to tap into reader emotions through your novel's relationships.
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/3AJtERY
Wired by Story by Lisa Cron
Another one by Lisa Cron! This book explains the neuroscience behind what captivates readers attention in stories and how to hold on to it throughout your entire novel. It has a slightly more science-y feel than Story Genius but is also very accessible. Cron argues that good story-telling always trumps good writing and makes a very solid case!
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/3Ht4Gd8
Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin
Yates discusses the practical and actionable editing techniques that she has developed throughout her career as an editor. Intuitive Editing provides a guide on how to ask for, process, and integrate feedback, as well as how to look at your own writing as objectively as possible.
It's always a good idea to go through a few rounds of self-editing, even if you will be sending your work to an editor. But especially if you're not, this book will help you tackle what, in my opinion, is the hardest part of the writing process ─ editing!
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/40NDjBH
The Author's Checklist by Elizabeth K. Kracht
An agent's guide to developing and editing your manuscript... I mean, who wouldn't want that? If you're seeking to be traditionally published, you've probably had the unfortunate experience of sending what you believe is a thoughtful and well-crafted query letter only to get a swift and vague rejection along the lines of "it wasn't for me." The Author's Checklist is here to explain agent's thought process as they receive and review query letters, and give you advice on how to best use that knowledge to craft both a strong manuscript and query letter.
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/3NADPQe
Author in Progress by Therese Walsh and the Writer Unboxed Community
With bulleted lists, graphs, and tables, Author in Progress is filled with tidbits of publishing and writing knowledge that are sure to motivate you and make your writing journey feel a little less lonely. This book contains a compilation of essays from various writers, editors, and agents, which means that you will be getting a wide variety of perspectives and approaches to the most important aspects of writing.
It's a great book to reach for when you start feeling like a certain approach is too formulaic or like writing is losing its magic.
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/42dJHmQ
Books on the publishing Industry + Marketing
How to Market a Book: Overperform in a Crowded Market by Ricardo Fayet
Up to date account on what it takes to identify your book's audience, create a targeted marketing campaign and reach your readers in the age of social media.
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/3LumExs
Merchants of Culture by John B. Thompson
A deep-dive into the roles of publishers, agents, and booksellers in the United States and England. Thompson explores how the digital age is changing the publishing scene and the kind of pressures that publishers are under as a result of the technological change that came with the 21st century.
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/3AGCkbA
Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum
The most candid guide on how to break into the marketplace with your first novel. This book covers EVERYTHING you've ever wanted to know about the publishing industry, including the not-so glamorous parts that not many people talk about.
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/3LoOmLF
The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman
Business education for writers. It is meant for early-career writers looking to develop a realistic set of expectations about making money from their work or for working writers who want a better understanding of the industry.
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/41RAVuX
Note: Full disclosure, if you use the links provided, I make a few pennies in commission. Nonetheless, I handpicked these books because they truly have been a bright light in my writing journey and I hope they will be for you as well!
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