Books That Changed My Writing: Finding Architects to Help Build Your Novel

In this blog series, NaNoWriMo participants can share their experiences with books that have changed their writing life for the better. Today, NaNoWriMo participant Melinda Renken shares her thoughts on a book that has helped her create a solid foundation for crafting her writing:

I have a confession: I’m addicted to writing craft books. There. I said it. The first step is admitting the problem, isn’t that what they say? But I’m refusing an intervention. I will never give up my book habit.

Last August, I completed my MFA. I have been privileged to work with amazing faculty and with other talented students to improve my writing skills. But education doesn’t end once you’re presented with a (very expensive) piece of paper. Au contraire: my education is the foundation upon which I will build my 19th century Victorian mansion of a novel. Craft books have become the architects. Donald Maass’ The Emotional Craft of Fiction has revolutionized the way I am looking at my novel and my approach to finishing it.

There are a lot of craft books out there and for every gem there are at least four rocks. I’ve bought and read more than a few that only offered vague information that any student of Composition 101 could have written. But occasionally you run across those which completely transform your writing. I have reserved shelves in one of my bookcases for craft books that I feel must be reread yearly.

“Emotion is what drives the human experience. It is the reason I write. It seemed imperative that I learn how to control it and use it as a tool rather than fighting against it.”

Before I discuss Mr. Maass’ book, there are a couple I want to mention which I consider staples for any beginning writer. Stephen King’s On Writing tops my list. His fiction scares the crap out of me on a regular basis, but I love it. On Writing is part memoir and part craft and each time I read it, I learn from it. Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird is another must-have.  The advice she gives (to new writers in particular) is very helpful.  I first read this book as an undergrad student and I think that her wisdom helped give me permission to declare: “I am a writer.” It took me a long time to be able to say that out loud.

I write historical fiction steeped in magical realism. My novel is a monster I’ve both worshiped and hated depending on when you ask me and whether or not I’ve been fed and watered recently. Donald Maass’ The Emotional Craft of Fiction has become my saving grace. In it, he teaches how to get at the story beneath the story; in other words, the art of creating compelling subtext. He discusses getting deep into the character’s skin so you can create dynamic characters that your readers can’t help but be captivated by. 

I am prone to overflowing emotions, in life and in writing. This book appealed to me initially because I knew that my characters tend to be sloppy with emotion and it can come off as contrived. Emotion is what drives the human experience. It is the reason I write. It seemed imperative that I learn how to control it and use it as a tool rather than fighting against it. Mr. Maass’ book has given me the tools to accomplish the task.  

I’ve read several good books about subtext, but none which really explained how to create it from a character-based standpoint–at least not in a manner that I grasped.  Masss’ book is accessible. It’s this aspect which makes me value this book the most. He teaches from the widest view down to the smallest detail and even provides a handy checklist at the end. Most of his advice will be useful in revision, but I’m excited to walk down the path I discovered through reading The Emotional Craft of Fiction when I sit down to write my novel. I’ve no doubt there’s grand adventure to be found.

Melinda Renken earned her MFA in creative writing at Sierra Nevada College in August 2016. She is currently at work (in the painfully slow manner of a slug on tranquilizers) on her first novel. She expects to publish it sometime before civilization comes to an end. She and her husband live in Washington State. They are owned by two very spoiled cats. Details of her writing adventures can be found on her blog “Into the Mist” at www.melynnwrites.wordpress.com. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Top photo by Flickr user Artful Magpie.