pagesofjulia

As we approach the time of year when I usually do lists, I was inspired to add this one, when a dear friend from my MFA program asked me for craft book recommendations in particular. (Abby is usually a fiction writer but is entering her cross-genre semester in nonfiction, so a special emphasis there.) Another dear friend from my MFA program, Okey, used to enjoy this blog and said he especially looked here for craft recommendations. (We lost Okey after this past summer’s residency, unexpectedly, and we are all still reeling. If you haven’t already, please consider this scholarship in his name. It’s a great cause in the name of diversity and inclusivity.)

So. Here’s a list in two tiers, followed by a link to all the craft books I’ve read. Keep in mind that these are the books that have worked best for me, and your mileage may vary. I put a * next to the ones for nonfiction in particular, for Abby and for anyone else who may be interested.

Very favorites, in no particular order:

• *Draft No. 4, John McPhee
• On Writing, Stephen King
• The Elements of Style, Strunk and White

Well loved, in no particular order:

• *Handling the Truth, Beth Kephart
• Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott
• *Family Trouble, Joy Castro
• *Inventing the Truth, William Zinsser
• The Writing Life, Annie Dillard
• Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg
• The Art of Description, Mark Doty
• The Delicacy and Strength of Lace, Leslie Marmon Silko and James Wright
• *Tell It Slant, Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola
• *A Field Guide for Immersion Writing, Robin Hemley

And, click here to see all books with this tag, which will include titles not listed here.

Thanks for stopping by, as always. Was this list helpful for you? Is there another list you’d like to see me work on? (In the past I’ve done movies, children’s books, audio favorites, science books, LGBTQ…) Let me know, and maybe I’ll put one together!

Filed under: musings | Tagged: best of, lists, nonfiction, writing/craft |