What would be the best book for me?
I'm really sorry, I asked this question earlier but Y!A wasn't very busy and I didn't get many replies. I don't like it when people keep posting the same question over and over but I really would like some help. Sorry.
My birthday is coming up and I've been asked to give my parents and boyfriend a list of things I'd like. I'm writing a book at the moment (fiction) and I was wondering if there are any good books out there that can give me hints and tips on all the basics. I own Stephen King's 'On Writing' and I found this to be really helpful, but I'm looking for something that has a little more information. I have found 'Writing Fiction For Dummies' online, is this any good? Are there any published authors out there that used a book similar to this and found it really beneficial? Any help would be gratefully received.
Yes, Writing Fiction for Dummies is very good. It is written by Randy Ingermanson. I have his software novel writing program "SnowflakePro" and like it a lot. Here's his Advances Fiction Writing website:
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/
And a free download you shouldn't miss...
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php
There are several really good books. I'm reading this one now: "Writing and Selling Your Novel" by Jack M. Bickham. Really good. You'll have to get it used, but it's worth it.
http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Selling-Your-Novel-Bickham/dp/0898797888/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263508762&sr=8-1
While you are working on y our novel, I suggest you work on a few short stories, to get your feet wet and to learn more quickky...here's a good book on that...
http://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Quick-Guide-Writing-Stories/dp/0070390770/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247851525&sr=1-1
And this book is a little involved, more so than those above, but very good...
http://www.amazon.com/Plot-Structure-Techniques-Exercises-Crafting/dp/158297294X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263509115&sr=8-2
And by all means, go to this lady psychologist/writer's website and get her first two lectures on putting emotion in your writing...fabulous and so important and such good lessons...
http://www.margielawson.com/index.php/lecture-packets
I'm talking about "Empowering Characters' Emotions" and "Deep Editing..."
A bit advanced but as a fiction writer, this will be among your top investments in your craft!
Keep writing.
Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies
