From all my reading of books about the craft of writing, I reckon there are two that are essential for young writers to read. So if you can scrape together the cash and you're serious about writing stories, get your hands on these two books. You won't regret it.
Story by Robert McKee
This is the encyclopaedic guide to the craft of story writing. McKee's focus is on film, but this book suits all forms of storytelling, because story is always about character, structure, meaning, subtext, plotting, etc. Anyone who says you can't teach writing obviously hasn't read this book - or hasn't taken it in properly. It is a wise, breathtaking work of sheer genius that should outlive us all.
How Not to Write a Novel by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman
This is all about novel writing in particular. It's a revelatory and hilarious list of 200 mistakes novelists and short story writers commonly make, along with advice on how to avoid them. Even with 40 books under my belt, I've cringed several times at how close I've come to making some of these mistake. If you're anything like me, you're writing will improve after reading this book, and you'll approach your craft with a whole new confidence.
There are a couple of other books I recommend, but I don't think they're as important as these two.
5 comments:
Ooooh nice :P
I will definitely try to get those books, along with all of your books if I can!
That's very kind of you, Ailish. But I reckon it'd be best to just get the books about writing - mine a probably a bit young for you. Unless, of course, you're an extremely mature 9 year old!! :^)
You might, however, like the book I'm writing at the moment. It's going to come out early next year and I think it's going to be far and away the best thing I've ever written. (big call, I know).
It's going to be called Destiny's Right Hand, and it's about a young journalist called Eddie Innocent, and the supernatural mystery he uncovers while writing for a kids newspaper. I'll put a post up here when it's about to come out - probably in Feb 2010 or thereabouts.
Actually, what country are you in, Ailish?
I read all kinds of books and I'm sure yours would be a great break from all those crazy 500 page books I'm reading.
I'm only 11 though, so it wouldn't be much of a stretch ;) And from all the things I've heard about, I'd be insane not to read them.
Oooh. Destiny's Right Hand. Sounds exciting :P I can't wait. Seriously. I know that sounds like I'm just saying that to be polite, but I honestly can't wait.
I'm Australian actually. You visited my town just recently. Stanthorpe it was. That's why I found this website I guess, although I probably would have found it anyway, with the amount of surfing I do (hehehe. There should be a sign on my head saying 'computer nerd here!')
So yes.
Boy would I love to be an extremely mature nine year old...
Well, Ailish. You've amazed me. I would have guessed you were 16 or older. You're an INCREDIBLY mature 11 year old!!!!! Good on you. I'm glad my talk inspired you to visit my blog.
Don't worry too much about reading what I've written so far. It's all a bit young for you I reckon. Just wait for Destiny's Right Hand early next year. I think that will suit you much better!! :^)
Strangely enough, everyone seems to think I'm older than I am. I'm not THAT mature... am I? Oh I hope not. I honestly true to God hope not. If I was then I'd have to say bye bye to running around with my 8year old sister like I was one and say hello to constant thoughts about being embarrassed by my disabled brother.
Ok, ok, ok, I won't worry TOO much. But if it's ever convenient then I definitely will :)
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