Allison Symes's Blog - Posts Tagged "on-writing"
Favourite Non-Fiction Books
I must admit my favourite non-fiction books tend to be the writing guides. I’m especially fond of Stephen King’s On Writing (which is also a great memoir. There aren’t many writing books which can claim that).
I also like How Not to Write a Novel by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman is packed with great advice and is very funny.
I also like the Jane Wenham-Jones books Wanna Be a Writer? and Wanna Be a Writer We’ve Heard Of? Again lots of useful information given in a chatty and funny way.
I adore that kind of thing. I suspect I’m not the only one here but I do take information in better (and retain it) if I’ve enjoyed the books said information is in!
No pressure on the non-fiction writers then!
I also love the Ben Macintyre books - again history presented in an entertaining way.
I am glad the days of non-fiction being confined to serious and literally heavy tomes have now gone.
And it is a good idea for any writer to mix up their reading material.
Inspiration for our own stories can come from a variety of places so it makes sense to read widely and to include non-fiction in that. You just need to read one fascinating fact and ideas for working that into a story can come.
I’m currently reading on my Kindle Spike Milligan’s Adolf Hitler: My Part In His Downfall and loving it. It is non-fiction because Milligan did serve in the war. It is humorous (as you would expect from him) and it draws you in and is a real pleasure to read.
And that’s what a good read should be after all!
I also like How Not to Write a Novel by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman is packed with great advice and is very funny.
I also like the Jane Wenham-Jones books Wanna Be a Writer? and Wanna Be a Writer We’ve Heard Of? Again lots of useful information given in a chatty and funny way.
I adore that kind of thing. I suspect I’m not the only one here but I do take information in better (and retain it) if I’ve enjoyed the books said information is in!
No pressure on the non-fiction writers then!
I also love the Ben Macintyre books - again history presented in an entertaining way.
I am glad the days of non-fiction being confined to serious and literally heavy tomes have now gone.
And it is a good idea for any writer to mix up their reading material.
Inspiration for our own stories can come from a variety of places so it makes sense to read widely and to include non-fiction in that. You just need to read one fascinating fact and ideas for working that into a story can come.
I’m currently reading on my Kindle Spike Milligan’s Adolf Hitler: My Part In His Downfall and loving it. It is non-fiction because Milligan did serve in the war. It is humorous (as you would expect from him) and it draws you in and is a real pleasure to read.
And that’s what a good read should be after all!
Writing Guides
Most writers, including me, have a number of writing guides collected over many years.
The need for guides changes through a writer's career. I started with the beginner guides and, much later, went to marketing and publishing books.
What I was after (and still am) is clear information presented in an entertaining way. I find I recall things better if I like what I've read. Also guides should be encouraging, otherwise why read on?
My favourite writing guide is On Writing by Stephen King. I am also fond of the Wannabe Writer guides written by the much missed Jane Wenham-Jones.
A good test of a guide is its readability (and re-readability).
Which guides have you found useful?
The need for guides changes through a writer's career. I started with the beginner guides and, much later, went to marketing and publishing books.
What I was after (and still am) is clear information presented in an entertaining way. I find I recall things better if I like what I've read. Also guides should be encouraging, otherwise why read on?
My favourite writing guide is On Writing by Stephen King. I am also fond of the Wannabe Writer guides written by the much missed Jane Wenham-Jones.
A good test of a guide is its readability (and re-readability).
Which guides have you found useful?
