4 Books All Aspiring Authors Need to Read
Get your motivation and inspiration from these life changing novels.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be be an author. And like most aspiring authors, I wanted so badly to become a New York Times bestselling author.
My dream has yet to become a reality and not because I failed to get a contract with a publisher or I did and could never obtain enough book sales. I am not a bestselling author because I did not even write a book yet!
I’ve made excuses like:
Oh, I’m too busy.
I don’t have enough time to write.
I have no ideas.
Who would read it anyway?
My writing style is awful.
If you’ve ever had a single thought such as these in your mind, forget it! These are the thoughts that are preventing you from writing a book.
You are the only reason you are not a New York Times bestselling author.
So what can you do to change that?
Take an hour or so out of each day to write. You don’t even have to write about anything specific, just jot down some thoughts on paper. Free write, get the wheels in your mind turning.
Continue to write until you develop an idea for a potential book. Write down the plot, the character’s backgrounds, add a little drama and continue to write a little bit more each day.
One way to get some ideas and motivation is to read your favorite book or the book that first got you interested in becoming an author. Find one that sparks an idea in you. If you need help searching for inspirational books keep scrolling!
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
In this empowering novel, a young girl fights her way through obstacles such as racism, poverty and sexual abuse. She finds herself amongst her writing and the reader tags along on her coming of age story as she grows into a young, independent and strong woman.
How to be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life by Lilly Singh
YouTube sensation, Lilly Singh, is such an inspiring person of the 21st century. She not only wrote this incredible self-help book but she also started a company called Girl-Love which fundraises money to provide young women in Africa with the education they so desperately need.
Her book, How to be a Bawse, teaches readers that success “needs to be fought for — not wished for.” Step by step, you’ll learn how to not only be a boss in a job or career, but how to be a bawse: “a person who exudes confidence, hustles relentlessly, and smiles genuinely because he or she has fought through it all and made it out the other side”
Leg Up, The Courage to Dream by Louis J. Castriota, Jr.
Leg Up will inspire every reader to have the courage to dream…and the tenacity to succeed. When Louie’s daughter Brooke was diagnosed with special needs, he started on a 13-year journey that soon transformed the lives of thousands of children. From the heartbreaking detail of his daughter’s struggle, to uplifting stories of love between children and animals, this heartwarming memoir is a must read. — Blooming Twig
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Harry’s story is the classic good versus bad, love versus hate. Even though Harry and his friends endure multiple setbacks and hardships, they keep up their momentum and give all they have to defeat the dark forces ahead of them.
Not only is the fictional story one of triumph, but J.K. Rowling’s story is a true inspiration. She was only 25 when she was sitting on a delayed train at Kings Cross station in London and came up with the idea for Harry Potter. She ended up writing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on paper napkins in little cafes around London. And now look at her success!
If you have any inspirational books you love and think would be great for other writers to read, please share them in the comments below!
Kayla Keller is an intern with Blooming Twig and studies Linguistics, English and Writing at Stony Brook University.
