The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Marvelous,
marvelous book. Years ago it helped me regain my own
creativity and begin my first novel. Highly recommended
for any writer or artist. Heck, highly recommended for
anyone!
And
consider joining a group working through The Artist's
Way together. It can certainly be done alone, but
there's additional joy and support in a group that shares
the experience.
The
Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale
The world's best thesaurus, hands down! I only wish
this were available online or on CD...but it occupies
a special (and easily accessible) place on my bookshelf.
Note:
I recommend the hardcover edition over the paperback.
Other users have told me the paperback seems to have
thinner pages and doesn't last as long. I purchased
the hardcover and love it. I've even given it as a gift
to other writers!
How
to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters
by John Wood
Great
query examples for all kinds of writing submissions,
from articles to novels to nonfiction.
The
Describer's Dictionary: A Treasury of Terms and Literary
Quotations by David Grambs.
I've
bookmarked the sections on color terms and modifiers,
gait, and facial expressions. Handy reference!
The
Writer's Digest Flip Dictionary by Barbara Ann
Kipfer
This
dropped down a notch or two on my shelf once I got Rodale's
The Synonym Finder, but I still use it often.
How
to Get Happily Published: A Complete and Candid Guide
by Judith Appelbaum and Nancy Evans
My
copy is several editions older than the current one
(and is dog-eared). Great tidbits.
Kirsch's
Guide to the Book Contract by Jonathan Kirsch
Don't
enter a contract negotiation without it.
Books for Novelists
Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V.
Swain
The examples sometimes seem sexist—the book was
written in a different era—but it's also a great
resource for structuring your novel.
The
Career Novelist by Donald Maass
Advice
from a successful agent on how to grow your career.
(Including "don't quit your day job yet, for heaven's
sake!") Thoughtful advice for those in the writing
biz for the long haul.
GMC:
Goal, Motivation and Conflict: The Building Blocks of
Good Fiction by Debra Dixon
Excellent!
You need to know the GMC technique. Your plots and characterizations
will take on great new twists. If Amazon
doesn't have this book in stock, buy it at Gryphon
Books for Writers.
Prescription
for Plotting by Carolyn Greene
This
is a fantastic workbook and three-ring binder to help
organize your thoughts and plan your novel. Check it
out at plotdoctor.com.
Books for Nonfiction Writers
The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide
to Freelance Writing Success
by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell
Impertinent,
hilarious, and right on. How to break the rules and
be more successful because of it. You go, girls!
Freelance
Writing for Magazines and Newspapers: Breaking in Without
Selling Out by Marcia Yudkin
Runs
through some basics and discusses freelancing without
blowing smoke up one's...um...posterior. I do wish there
were an edition updated for 21st century technology.
Damn!
Why Didn't I Write That? How Ordinary People are Raking
in $100,000.00...or More Writing Nonfiction Books and
How You Can Too! by Marc McCutcheon
Sensational
title—solid advice.
Nonfiction
Book Proposals Anybody Can Write: How to Get a Contract
and Advance Before Writing Your Book by Elizabeth
Lyon
A
comprehensive book with useful tips by a successful
author who practices what she preaches.
Useful
Writing Groups and Newsletters, etc.
Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN).
This is an excellent organization that helps writers
and small publishers market their work. Their monthly
newsletter is fantastic, and members get great discounts,
including on subscriptions to Publishers Weekly, the
industry bible.
Club100
Writers. Sooo helpful for keeping you writing every
day. Do as little as 100 words per day, every day, and
writing becomes a habit.
Book
in a Week. A good boot in the butt. Write a book
in a week—or as much of it as you can. Clear your
schedule and turn off your internal editor for a week.
Write away!
Aids4Writers
Newsletter. Helpful tips for writers at all stages.
Especially good for novelists.
Copyright.
This page from the Science
Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America website discusses
copyright protection for your work and why you needn't
stress about it until it's published (or sometimes even
after).
The
Writers Page.
An online compendium of resources and information for
writers.
Romance
Writers of America. If you write romance or chick
lit, this organization has extensive resources to help
you and is well worth the membership fees.
Writer's
Universe.
A free resource site by The Write Touch that provides
links to extensive articles, resources, and tips helpful
to writers.
And
of course there's me! I'd be delighted to help you write
books that you love. Professional
coaching for writers can help you stay focused,
motivated, and on track as you improve your craft and
your career. See what my clients
have to say and learn more about
me. Then make an appointment for a "get acquainted"
conversation with me to see for yourself how book coaching
can work for you.
Resources
for Changing Your Life
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
A vital skill! This is a terrific book. Change your
relationship with fear and change your life.
Your
Heart's Desire by Sonia Choquette
A
book about "creative manifestation" of your
goals. If you want to discover what you really want
and make that happen, take a look at this book.
The
Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
How
to live your life with integrity. This book got a lot
of press, and after reading it, I can see why.
Life
Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters
by Phillip C. McGraw
Yes,
I like Dr. Phil. Although he doesn't call himself a
life coach, he's a very good one. And my mom loved this
book. Best recommendation I can think of.
The
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen
R. Covey
A
classic, plain and simple. Amazon doesn't seem to carry
the main edition on anything but audio (as of this writing),
but the 15th anniversary edition is coming soon and
should be well worth your time.
Whew. That's a lot of resources. And I'm delighted to
give you one more. If you want to know more about how
coaching can improve your writing and your life, email
or call (888) 926-2244 to set up a time to have a free
consultation with me. I'm in the U.S. Pacific time zone.
If you're outside the mainland (contiguous) U.S.A.,
email
and we'll arrange an alternate phone number. Since I
coach by telephone, geography makes no difference.
I'll help you write—and finish—your
book.
"I
hired Katey when I was emotionally and creatively
stuck during a major re-write of my first novel. Within
a few short weeks with her, I was able to overcome
the obstacles that prevented me from finishing
my revisions."
-Marcille Pilkington
"Katey's
support was so amazing. She helped me unlock the
secret of success and now the magic is pouring forth!"
-K. Cato
