4 Best Writing Books Every Writer Should Read
Classic books on writing by writers for writers
The magic of books is that they come to us whole.
They are entire worlds dropped in our laps. Or they sit there on a shelf, waiting to unfold before us their splendid wonders. One day we didn’t know them. The next day, we know them intimately, for the rest of our lives, like lovers. You never forget that kind of love.
Of course, anyone who writes knows that books aren’t magic, like a trick. They are the product of hard work, so many people, so many hours, so much thought, so much crossing out and restarting.
Most books have a title and a single author. But behind that single author is everyone that author ever knew, every teacher, parents, siblings, friends, as well as editors, publishers, agents, copy-editors, book designers, and all of their friends, family, and acquaintances as well.
A book is a world unto itself. As well, it takes a world to create a book.
A book is a genealogy of infinite knowledge.
As a long time teacher of writing, several books have laid claim to the top spots on my bookshelf. These are not books I have used in the classroom, those useful, dry, utilitarian books.
