If you stop thinking of writing as an art form and consider it as a craft instead, it can be a more constructive perspective. Writing has levers and layers and formulae and tried-and-tested tricks; it has character arcs and plot structures and tropes that we, as readers, are all familiar with without realising. We’re so familiar with these recipes, in fact, that when they are done well our reader’s journey is supremely satisfying, and when they miss the mark we’re left hungry or frustrated.
Ahead of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, in November) I wanted to share the craft books that have helped me the most. I love learning about the craft of writing (which is lucky, because it’s a lifelong process.
Beyond the books below, I highly recommend the Masterclass programme. The classes by Dan Brown, James Patterson and David Baldacci in particular are exceptionally good all-rounders, but they have lots of other writing classes too.
Outlining your Novel – KM Weiland
I just read this and have overhauled my plotting approach for my third novel because of it. It’s a brilliant book on how a thoughtful, rigorous outlining process can make the writing process so much easier, and add so much depth and plot to your book.
GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict – Debra Dixon
A brilliant starting point for anyone wanting to build compelling characters and plots. Dixon argues that all characters have a goal because of a motivation but face an obstacle, and when we can make these 3 compelling enough, all great characters, scenes and plots spring from there. It has been startlingly effective in clarifying my jumble of thoughts for the novel I’m currently plotting.
The Science of Storytelling – Will Storr
A wonderful read on how our brains work and therefore how to optimise stories for human biology. The appendix contains what he calls The Sacred Flaw Approach—this brilliant framework is a critical part of all my character work.
Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing – Jessica Morrell
Oh, boy. This book is incredible. It’s a nuanced, deeply insightful take on how to imbue your manuscript with emotional resonance, elegance and depth. It felt like a Masters Degree in a book!
The Anatomy of a Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller – John Truby
Truby advocates a very specific 22-step story structure. I followed this in my first novel, Food for Thought, and it was hard but effective. There’s an argument that his methodology is unnecessarily complex, but this is a wonderful read whose lessons borrow heavily from the screenplays of classic movies such as The Godfather, Tootsie and Casablanca. (I also bought Truby’s audio course on the beats needed for Romance, and it was excellent).
Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels – Gwen Hayes
I write novels with a strong romantic bent, rather than pure romance, but the ‘beats’ of a love story need special handling, and it can be tricky integrating your romantic arc with your main (external) plot. This short book is brilliant, witty and extremely practical.