Five Books and One Website That Will Teach You How to Write Better
And will get you writing now.
Anyone can write. But writing is hard, even for authors who do it all the time. We could all improve our writing skills by fully engaging in the writing process and writing every day.
We can also improve our writing skills by reading books written specifically on how to write better.
While it isn’t always necessary to follow grammatical rules when writing — I break them all the time intentionally — it is essential to know the rules before you break them.
The following books have made me a better writer.
While they are not necessarily the kind of books you need to read cover to cover, except for perhaps two, they’re excellent references to have around, on your desk or a nearby bookshelf, while you write.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr.
This little book was written in 1919 and was a requirement at Cornell University for a class taught by the author, William Strunk Jr., called English 8. William Strunk himself referred to it as “the little book.”
It was required reading for me while taking a writing class recently, and has quickly become my favorite book to go to for questions when I’m writing.
It is a mere 87 pages, so thin you can fit it in your pocket, and take it to a coffee shop, along with your laptop, and write.
It is a classic and a staple for many writers today.
When it was first published, it was a mere 43 pages, a summation for “cleanliness, accuracy, and brevity in the use of English.”
It is a must for a writer at any stage of their writing career.
Grammatically Correct by Anne Stilman
Ok, I know this is another grammar book. But you need to know how to write correctly, with proper grammar usage, so that you can break the rules.
This book does not contain writing exercises within its text, but it does have clear and concise rules on the finer points of grammar.
As a bestselling grammar guide, it has been revised and updated from its first edition with expanded grammar instruction on tenses (including conditional, conditional progressive, present perfect, present progressive and past progressive) and new examples of style and usage from recent sources.
It is a permanent fixture on my desk; I refer to it often.
Writing with Clarity and Style by Robert A. Harris
This is my favorite book on writing.
It gives clear and concrete examples on how to write better, with exercises throughout the book to practice writing with more clarity and style.
Out of all the books I’ve read on writing, this one has made the greatest impact on my writing style.
It is expensive, but worth every penny.
Others may find books on how to write better rather dull, but if you are a writer, I bet you will love this book as much as I do, and if you practice the exercises contained within, your writing will improve.
I flip through this book after I’ve written an essay, and see if there is anything I can improve to make my writing more clear and concise with style.
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird is not only a helpful book for creative people and writers, but it’s beautifully written and packs a ton of useful advice.
Bird by Bird has been popular for 25 years, inspiring writers, new and old, for a good reason.
Not only will you be reading Anne Lamott’s beautiful words flowing on the foundation of her expert structure, tone, and voice, you get advice on what it takes to be a lifelong writer.
This book is valuable for anyone who is a writer or who has dreamed of writing.
Lamott makes it clear that if you want to be a writer, then the only choice available is a commitment to the process itself, a just do it attitude.
This is a touching, laugh-out-loud, and tear-up-at-times book about a writer who writes and lives equally well.
Writing Begins with the Breath: Embodying Your Authentic Voice by Laraine Herring
Ok. I love this book now, but I didn’t when I first tried to read it.
A book has to meet you at the right time, and this book met me at the right time during my second attempt at reading it, after I had a few successful writing experiences under my belt.
I read this book every few years because it generates ideas to write about. I can barely get through a chapter without throwing the book aside and running to my computer to write. It inspires me, one would say.
Each of Herring’s beautifully written chapters ends with several exercises you can spend hours working on and come out the other end with thousands of words and ideas.
I highly recommend this book for beginning writers who often get stuck on what to write about; this book will give you inspiration to keep you writing for years to come.
Herring’s style and form are well-honed and crafted, you will want to emulate her as a writer, and she will be a mentor for life, as she is for me.
This is an online resource for any writer, but especially for those writers who want to get a book published.
It offers chapters on grammar and usage, with guidance on punctuation, names, numbers, abbreviation, foreign languages, quotations, and dialogue (which often trips me up).
It also offers chapters on preparation and editing, proofs, rights, and permissions, including a useful introduction to U.S. copyright law.
Because rules in grammar change and adjust over time, I would forgo buying the hard copy of this book, which is quite expensive. Because the information will update with the next edition, opt for a subscription to the website.
You can get a free trial here for 30 days.
After that, the subscription price looks like this,
1-year is $39 2-year is $70 3-year is $99
Try the 30-day trial; see if it improves your writing and whether it’s useful for where you want to go as a writer. Then you can always cancel if it doesn’t suit your needs or you find you aren’t using it as a resource.
If you use the information inside one or all six of the above writing resources your writing skills will improve.
I’m continually learning to write better not only through practice but by surrounding myself with knowledge about how to write better.
Write on.
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Jessica is a writer, an online entrepreneur, and a recovering perfectionist. She lives in Los Angeles with her extrovert daughter, two dogs, and two cats.
