@LisaCarter27

Listed below you will find a list of great craft of writing titles through which I am working my way. Many of these books I have read and studied. Others I have in my “To Read” pile. Some I return to, time after time, to ponder and apply their wisdom to my writing.

This is by no means a complete list or a guarantee that if you read every book on the list you will be published tomorrow. This is a list that may take you years to read. Additional books on writing will be written in the future, and you may discover further gems that you would also recommend. It is definitely not a quick fix to publication but a process that may take years as you strive to better your understanding of writing and your abilities to communicate, entertain and inspire through the written word.

Currently, I am reading and savoring Story Trumps Structure by Steven James.

My next favorite thing—after writing—is reading. After all, as writers we were readers first. Don’t rush through the list, but allow these books time to resonate with you and refresh your creative spirit.

• Beginnings, Middles and Ends by Nancy Kress
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
• Building Believable Characters by Marc McCutcheon
• Don’t Murder Your Mystery—24 Fiction-Writing Techniques to Save Your Manuscript from Turning Up…D.O.A. by Chris Roerden
• Getting into Character by Brandilynn Collins
• Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
• Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni King and Dave Browne
• Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
• Story Trumps Structure by Steven James
• The Art and Craft of Novel Writing by Oakley Hall
• The Writer’s Guide to Character Traits by Linda N. Edelstein
• Woe is I by Patricia T. O’Connor
• Writing the Breakout Novel and Workbook by Donald Maass
• Writing the Novel by Lawrence Block

Happy Reading and Writing,

Lisa

Did I miss including one of your favorite craft of writing books? What further reads would you suggest?

Multi-published author Lisa Carter likes to describe her romantic suspense novels as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” A Vast and Gracious Tide released in June 2018. The Stronghold won a 2017 Daphne du Maurier. Under a Turquoise Sky won the 2015 Carol Award. Beyond the Cherokee Trail was a 4½ star Romantic Times Top Pick. She also has two contemporary romance series with Love Inspired. Lisa enjoys traveling and researching her next fictional adventure. When not writing, she loves spending time with family and teaching writing workshops. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball.

Join the adventure at http://www.lisacarterauthor.com.

Follow Lisa on Facebook, Twitter and BookBub.