By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

Merry Christmas! I love December with the celebration of our Savior’s birth, Christmas lights, and the hope of a fresh start for the new year. I don’t know what lies ahead for 2021 but I plan and let God lead. 

“The heart of man plans his way, 

but the Lord establishes his steps.”- Proverbs (16:9 ESV)

Preparation is vital for success. My wheels spin if I don’t stick to a schedule. I even chose books to read during the next year. There are so many good books, As writers we should read books on the craft to sharpen our skills. We also need to read in our genre. What’s a writer to do when there are so many books to read? 

When I don’t know where to start. I pray and ask God what books he wants me to read. 

The books on the writing craft remain the same. Here are a few.

• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.
• On Writing by Stephen King.
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
• On Writing Well by William Zinsser.
• Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster.
• The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.
• Writer to Writer by Cecil Murphy
• Story Trumps Structure by Steven James
• The Writing Life Writers on How They Think and Work by Maria Arana
• Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
• Getting into Character by Brandilyn Collin
• The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
• How to Write Bestselling Fiction by Dean Koontz
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
• Stein On Writing by Sol Stein
• Hooked by Les Edgerton

If you know of any good books on the craft, please list them in the comments.

When it comes to other books, I desire to support my friends. I love to learn, so I prefer historical fiction and Christian Living. I also enjoy a good suspense novel. I still ask God what books he desires me to read. He has led me to books I thought I’d never want to devour. I’ve been blessed by following through with his prompting.

After I pray, I make a list that includes both books on the craft and books in my genre. I even schedule time to read or listen. I prefer audio books because I read all day for work. No matter what I wish to consume, I know God cares about what I put into my mind and heart.

Do you make a list of books to read for the year? I encourage you to invite God into the process. He might surprise you.

What books has God led you to read? Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is a coach, editor, and partner at The Write Coach Team.

As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 21 years.