Bird by Bird by Anne LaMott

I loved reading this book. As an emerging writer, I was inspired by the combination of emotional support, practical advice and inspiration.

Lamott has a wonderful perspective on both the daily advice for approaching writing as a job but also the reality of a writer’s life, which has little to do with literary parties and a lot to do with jealousy, writer’s block and going for broke with each paragraph.

Reading this book, I realised how much further I could push my writing and my characters. It was Bird by Bird that helped me to understand how shallow my writing was.

Lamott inspired me to be brave enough to write something that mattered.

The Little Red Writing Book by Mark Tredinnick 

(Released under the title Writing Well in America)

This is the book that finally motivated me to give up a career in Visual Arts to pursue my passion for story telling. I loved the style and strength of this book, which includes a whole chapter on writing with grace. Beautiful.

The Little Red Writing Book is a guide to expressive creative writing and effective professional prose. The author – a poet, writer, editor and teacher – explains the techniques required for stylish and readable writing.

Everyone who wants to improve their writing can benefit from this book. It reminds you to get into the habit of writing regularly, construct effective arguments and use grammar correctly. I just loved it so much. I want everyone to benefit from it’s existance.

On Writing by Stephen King

Every writing blog on earth recommends writers to read this book…and you will find we are no different.  One of the most famous writing works for writers.  Need we say more?

Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have.

King’s advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported near-fatal accident in 1999 — and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, “On Writing” will empower and entertain everyone who reads it — fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told

The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin

‘Make Something Happen’, Seth Godin.

Everyone knows that Icarus’s father made him wings and told him not to fly too close to the sun; he ignored the warning and plunged to his doom. The lesson was to play it safe and listen to the experts.

But we tend to forget that Icarus was also warned not to fly too low because seawater would ruin the lift in his wings. Flying too low is even more dangerous than flying too high, because it feels deceptively safe.

In his book ‘The Icarus Deception’ Godin talks of the obligation we have towards ourselves and the world, to make art. Godin discusses the issues we face when we fly too low, underachieve and ignore our potential. This book speaks of art and society, the world and life. It is a great read if you need to be pulled back on track.

Story by Robert McKee

I put off reading this book for a long time because I believed it was just for screenwriters. It is not. It is for storytellers.

Story is a complex and thorough breakdown of ‘Story Craft’ with a focus plotting character and story development.

Robert McKee’s screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Gloria Steinem, Julia Roberts, John Cleese and David Bowie are just a few of his celebrity alumni. Writers, producers, development executives and agents all flock to his lecture series. This book is the companion to that lecture series.

McKee demands excellence from every word you write. He wants you to be good, better, and the best. He expects great things from you.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

“If you are asking yourself (or your friends) “Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?” Chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.”

Are you paralysed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.

The War of Art is a power read. It is an engaging and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere. Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor. Pressfield identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success.

Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert

I love this book. It is so wonderful. The end.

Only joking. This book is broken down into the most perfectly sized chapters to inspire any creative. It is not just about work, but living a creative life.

This book is broken down into the most perfectly sized chapters to inspire any creative. It is not just about work, but living a creative life.

Gilbert’s advice is both innovated and obvious, leaving you feeling both inspired and frustrated you did not realise it yourself. Her message is simple. Live the most create life possible, and in doing so you might discover a job – you might not – but you will be happy.

Happy Reading Emerging Writers!