My list of Helpful Resource Material
The
Evan Marshall Plan for NOVEL WRITING
Evan Marshall
ISBN-10: 0898798485
This book has it all from beginning to end. Want to write and don’t know where to start, how to go on, how to make your book great? This book is excellent! The author also has a workbook in print and is working on developing a computer program for new writers. I can’t wait to see that!
You
Can Write a Romance
Rita Clay Estrada &Rita Gallagher
ISBN-13: 9780898798623
My best friend got me this book when I was writing my novel – and I will always be grateful to her. This book is a wonderful guide. It taught me the rules of proper formatting and directed me to the most helpful websites. The book is thin and concise and very helpful
The
Business Writer’s Handbook
Charles T. Brusaw, Gerald J. Alred, and Walter E. Oliu
ISBN-13: 9780312352684
Don’t know how to compose business letters? This is the book for you. It contains all the rules you need to polish your professional correspondence.
Story:
Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting
Robert McKee
ISBN-13: 9780060391683
I can’t rave enough about this book. In addition to teaching you quite a bit about writing well, it also covers the history of writing, offering endless examples from the world’s finest storytellers and the classic teachers. It is intelligent, informative, psychologically fascinating – you name it. It will open up a new world to you, guaranteed to kick your writing up a few notches!
How
To Write A Romance For The New Market
Kathrine Falk
(founder of RT Magazine)
ISBN-13: 9781885478467
Reading this book will tell you straight off if you know what you are doing, egg you on, and help you hone your craft.
Agents,
Editors, And You, the Insider’s Guide to Getting Your Book Published
Michelle Howry
ISBN-13: 9781582971520
This book answers a lot of questions regarding the industry, things you should know as a professional novelist. I was particularly interested in learning how publishing houses work and what happens to my manuscript once it hits the editor’s desk. This book explains the process in details.
The
Evan Marshall Plan for Getting Your Novel Published
Evan Marshall
ISBN-13: 9781582971964
A must book! This book tells you everything you need to know about selling your book. Plus, it teaches you how to write a great, professional synopsis!
How NOT To Write a Screenplay
by Denny Martin Flinn
ISBN-13: 9781580650151
Do not dismiss this book out of hand just because it centers on screenwriting. Remember the part about putting action into your very first line? This book can teach you a lot about moving the plot faster and better, especially if you are a novelist. It is short and brilliant.
Writer’s Guide to BOOK Editors, Publishers,
and Literary Agents
Jeff Herman
ISBN-13: 9780977268207
Basically, “yellow pages” for writers. It lists agents, editors, and publishers — the people you need to contact in order to get your book published. Get the newest edition, find the agents/editors interested in the type of book you just finished writing, and send them query letters. It works!
Writer’s
Market — 8000 Editors Who Buy What You Write
Robert Lee Brewer, Chuck Sambuchino
ISBN-13: 9781582974965
Another “yellow pages” book for writers. It tells you exactly what specific agents and editors are looking for. The lists that appear in this book do not always match the lists in the above book. Broaden your selection.
The
Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes & Heroines
Tami D. Cowen, Caro LaFever,
and Sue Viders
ISBN-13: 9781580650243
This book offers a wide variety of typical protagonists. It is the only book on my list that I haven’t read. But I own it and plan on reading it soon.
Great technical guidebooks on how to correct your English:
Dictionary of Disagreeable English
Robert Hartwell Fiske
ISBN-13: 9781582974187
Grammatically Correct
Anne Stilman
ISBN-13: 9781582973319
The Elements of Style
William Strunk and E.B. White
ISBN-13: 9780205309023
Yes, I do own all of these books, and I have read all of them but one, which I plan to read soon. And you should, too. Why? Because it does not matter how great a storyteller — or excuse maker *tongue in cheek* — you are (I have been one since learning how to speak.) There is a HUGE difference between storytelling and writing a story. Each requires an additional set of skills. Learn your craft! Hone it!
Websites and magazines for authors:
Find out about contests, agents, conferences…
1. www.writersdigest.com — Writer’s Digest
2. www.writersmarket.com — Writer’s Market
3. www.rwanational.org — Romance Writers of America
The books, the websites and their magazines offer the information you need to write a solid novel and get it published. There are no shortcuts in today’s market. Some writers get lucky and sell their first book very fast — but I bet they did the work. I know I did.
Good luck in selling your first novel! I can’t wait to read it.
