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Bernays, Anne and Pamela Painter.What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers – a broad range of practical exercises are presented in this book, pushing writers to improve in all areas of writing, as well as addressing issues of imitating the classics. A good solid workhorse.
Browne, Renni and Dave King.Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print – Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print – practical exercises and advice to help with the sometimes tricky editing process.
Cameron, Julia.The Artist’s Way, The Right to Write, The Sound of Paper – I adore Cameron’s warm-hearted, holistic approach to creativity and these are my favourite books. Some may find her spirituality a little twee, but her compassion, encouragement and common-sense have saved me on many a doubtful day. Her exercises can effectively unlock and unblock us – I gave The Artist’s Way to a friend and she’s now planning to go to art college after ignoring her creativity for twenty years! Cameron’s stuff really works, but you need to open your heart and engage fully with the exercises. See www.theartistsway.com
Cox, Ailsa Writing Short Stories – a very good introduction, offering tips on craft and exercises which offer exciting starting points for writing stories across the genre.
Goldberg, Bonnie Room to Write – this book is an encyclopedia of creative ideas. I use it almost as an I Ching, flicking through its pages as a write to find something which will drive my writing somewhere fascinating. Ranging across themes and stylistic techniques, and including mesmerizing quotes from major writers, Goldberg’s collection is a valuable source of inspiration.
Goldberg, Natalie Writing Down the Bones – Thunder & Lightning – like Cameron, Goldberg brings a down-to-earth spirituality and years of experience into play in her books. A Jew who became a Zen Buddhist, Goldberg places emphasis on writing practice (short bouts) and on paying mindful attention to details. Goldberg has backbone and originality and is worth befriending. See www.nataliegoldberg.com
Marshall, Evan Novel Writing: 16 Steps to Success – a little prescriptive at times, but Marshall knows his material. You have to know the rules to know how to break them, you know! Excellent on plotting longer works.
Motion, Andrew and Julia Bell The Creative Writing Coursebook: Forty Authors Share Advice and Exercises for Fiction and Poetry – largely compiled by the teachers of the famous Creative Writing department at U.E.A, this large tome offers a mixture of articles and exercises on craft and other issues, including editing and publication .
Novakovich, Josip Fiction Writers’ Workshop – a sound, practical book which helps writers improve their skills in areas such as voice and description.
Wood, Monica The Pocket Muse – a delightful book, full of interesting images and other prompts for inspiration, as well as some absolutely vital and often hilarious advice on how to deal with difficult issues such as rejection and professional envy. She also places proper emphasis on celebrating our creative achievements. Wood is a writer who has worked hard on her craft, developing patience on the way, and the lessons she shares here are insightful. See www.monicawood.com – a lovely site full of additional tips and all of Wood’s usual charm.
Some useful websites for writers:
www.fictionwriting.about.com – an incredibly helpful site. Contains writing exercises and advice, list of competitions and fellowships (mainly American), amongst valuable information on agents and publishers.
www.artistcommunities.org – information about writers’ residencies, mainly in the US.
www.burryman.com – a broad-ranging site with many helpful links for the writing community.
www.carvezine.com – great American online fiction journal. Home to the Raymond Carver Award.
www.fundsforwriters.com – nifty list of people who might be prepared to give us some cash (mainly US).
www.lifehack.org – I’ve just found this site, but it seems to contain some good tips on writing.
www.lulu.com – on those desperate days when you wonder if your book will ever see the light of day – remember, there’s always self-publishing! And it’s getting cooler!! I haven’t used lulu, but this seems worth.
www.mslexia.co.uk – the magazine for women who write has an excellent workshops section relating to past themes of their magazine.
www.nawe.co.uk – National Association of Writers in Education, supporting teachers of writing in schools and colleges.
www.nanowrimo.org – I’ve never participated, but I know people who’ve been really motivated by this programme. This site challenges you to write 50k words in November &nash; some books written this way have gone on to be bestsellers!
www.pw.org/mag – Poets & Writers magazine online. Good links to grants and awards.
Jack Lynch – a nice Rutgers guy has helpfully put a list of reference sites up, including dictionaries, grammar help and resource centres.
www.writingfix.com – contains similar tips and material.
www.societyofauthors.org – offers help, advice and information to published writers, including legal assistance. They offer some prestigious awards as well.
www.speculativeliterature.org – an American organization focusing on fantasy, magical realist and sci-fi writing. They gave me a travel grant so I love them!