One of the most common dilemmas an author faces is the struggle between spontaneity and control. Literary endeavors need those unexpected light-bulb moments, but a book will never be finished if you rely solely on inspiration. In The Kite and the String, Mattison has heard your cry for help and developed a guide for balancing these elements throughout the different stages of writing a novel or a memoir. Sure, there may be language and grammar rules that govern the way you write, but letting a bit of playfulness breathe life into your writing will see it take off to a whole new level. On the other hand, your writing routine, solitude, audience, and goal-setting will act as the strings that keep you from floating too far away. From the book: “Here’s the thing: authors don’t find readers; readers find books. [...] Marketing is not about selling your book to readers. It’s about getting readers to find it.” 31. Everybody Writes by Ann Handley Beginning: You have to start writing. This sounds obvious, but it may be the most overlooked step in the process. You write a book by deciding first what you’re going to write and how you’re going to write it. Learn how to write children’s books with the author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson. Or take tips from bestselling children’s author David Walliams. Find out how to craft timeless children’s stories and create characters that kids (and their parents!) will never forget. Through a creative writing course you can learn how to create compelling, believable characters that your readers will grow to love. You’ll learn how to depict settings and evoke a sense of place for your story. Plus you’ll learn the importance of plot and how to keep a sense of pace in your storytelling.

But if you're ready to get into the weeds, here are 40 of our favorite writing books. Books about becoming a writer 1. On Writing by Stephen King Give your child opportunities to do some non-permanent writing. This takes the pressure off early writers – if their handwriting isn’t perfect, they can just wash or brush it away and start again. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative” will help you understand that nothing is original. To discover your true artistic side and build a more creative life, read this book to be inspired by Kleon’s transformative principles about the power of embracing influence. Instead of writing what you know, this read will give you the courage to write what you want and be imaginative in your work. Books on Writing as an Art Form 20. “The Writing Life: Writers on How They Think and Work” edited by Marie AranaIf you’re looking for something that explores the philosophical aspects of writing, Threads asks big questions about writing and the position of the writer in an industry that has largely excluded marginalized voices. Where does the writer exist in relation to its text and, particularly in the case of poetry, who is the “I”? Examining the common white, British, male lens, this collection of short essays will make it hard for you not to critically consider your own perceptions and how they affect your writing process. The full title of this work, Mouth Full of Blood: Essays, Speeches, Meditations, gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect from one of the most influential and important voices in modern literature. In this collection, the late Nobel Prize winner comments on race, art, and politics over the course of four decades, and offers invaluable insight into the craft as well as the powerful potential of writing. Revisiting and reassessing some of her most famous titles, Morrison discusses revisionist perspectives and their place in the American literary landscape. From the book: “Write fearlessly. Write what is true and real to you.” 4. The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner

From the book: “A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.” 9. Sin and Syntax by Constance Hale If you’re having trouble writing consistently by yourself, write where other people are also working. A coffee shop or library where people are actually working and not just socializing can help. If you’re in a place where other people are getting things done, then you’ll have no choice but to join them. 20. Don’t edit as you go

We Explore the Best Books on Writing in These Categories

words = short eBook or manifesto. The Communist Manifesto is an example of this, at about 18,000 words. Read time = 1-2 hours. But first, let's look at the big picture. What does it take to write a book? It happens in three phases: Add some writing to the crafts – can they write with chalk, paint brushes or crayons? Can they make an attractive sign for their door or books? From the book: “When you grow up in a Westernized culture, the traditional plot structure becomes so embedded in your subconscious that you may have to work hard to create a plot structure that deviates from it… Understand this and keep your mind open when reading [this book]. Just because a piece doesn’t conform to the model you are used to, does not make it bad or wrong.” 15. The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler From the book: “We don't turn to story to escape reality. We turn to story to navigate reality.” 17. A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders

If your child prefers non-fiction, use the facts you find to create a fact sheet, a poster or a mini-book. In this memoir-like read, Palahniuk reflects on the art of storytelling through advice he shares about what makes writing and sharing stories powerful. In between anecdotes and decades-worth of postcards from his time on the road, you’ll find a love story to the world of fiction paired with concrete examples of strong storytelling. 27. “The Emotional Craft of Fiction” by Donald MaassFrom the book: “What exactly do I mean, even, by 'style'? Perhaps it is nothing but an urge, an aspiration, a clumsy access of admiration, a crush.” 40. Naked, Drunk, and Writing by Adair Lara Ray Bradbury, author of “Fahrenheit 451 , ” put together this book of essays portraying his passion for the craft. It was published in the 90s, but this collection still offers wise advice for aspiring and practicing writers. 25. “The Lonely Voice: A Study of the Short Story” by Frank O’Connor From the book: “Free yourself of your device, for at least certain hours of the day — or at the very least one hour. Learn to be alone, all alone, without people, and without a device that is turned on. Learn to experience the purity of that kind of concentration. Develop focus, learn to focus intently on one thing, uninterrupted, for a long time.” 39. Essayism by Brian Dillon

For writers who should be writing—erm, all of us—this book is like your personal writing workshop condensed into a flexibound journal. Lafferty shares writing exercises to help the strength of your writing blossom, plus writer’s prompts, tips on how to refine your creative process and hone your craft. Most of all, you’ll learn how to ignore your inner writing bully. 12. “Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets A Novelist Can Learn From Actors” by Brandilyn CollinsIf your child isn’t sure where to start, it can sometimes be helpful to sketch out their ideas first. For instance, can they draw a picture of a dastardly villain or a brave hero? How about a scary woodland or an enchanted castle? Can they draw the shark or spider they want to write an information book about? From the book: “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft.” 19. Take Off Your Pants by Libbie Hawker Like Stephen King’s book about writing craft, this work from acclaimed novelist and nonfiction writer Anne Lamott also fuses elements of a memoir with invaluable advice on the writer’s journey. Particularly known for popularizing the concept of “shitty first drafts”, Bird by Bird was recently recommended by editor Jennifer Hartmann in her Reedsy Live webinar for its outlook take on book writing. She said, “This book does exactly what it says it will do: it teaches you to become a better writer. [Lamott] is funny and witty and very knowledgeable.” Now, it's time to get down to business. Here, we are going to focus on the next three tips to help you get the book done: 5. Set a total word count Of all the titles on this list, Take Off Your Pants has to be the most eye-catching. But rather than remarking on the joys of working from home, this title actually alludes to being a pantser: a writer who dives straight into their draft with little more than an idea. Hawker doesn’t dissuade writers from “pantsing,” but does note that some sense of structure tends to help, at least in her experience. This book details her process for planning a story, offering various tools and techniques for nailing your book before you start typing.