The Craft of Writing Fiction (67 books)

Books about the craft of writing fiction, may it be a novel or a short story of any genre (just writing books, no English grammar books, English dictionaries or similar, please)

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings by Diana Pavlac Glyer (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 1,353 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints by Nancy Kress (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 2,207 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler 4.10 avg rating — 10,361 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson 4.28 avg rating — 843 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card 4.04 avg rating — 4,710 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee 4.27 avg rating — 17,461 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Beginnings, Middles & Ends by Nancy Kress (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 2,507 ratings score: 192, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	How Not to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them—A Misstep-by-Misstep Guide by Howard Mittelmark (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 4,217 ratings score: 190, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain 4.33 avg rating — 1,612 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success by K.M. Weiland (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 4,849 ratings score: 183, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham 4.11 avg rating — 1,602 ratings score: 179, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Dialogue: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Effective Dialogue by Gloria Kempton 3.97 avg rating — 1,103 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	45 Master Characters: Mythic Models for Creating Original Characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 1,435 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Screenwriting for Teens: The 100 Principles of Screenwriting Every Budding Writer Must Know by Christina Hamlett (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 42 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Invisible Ink: A Practical Guide to Building Stories That Resonate by Brian McDonald (Goodreads Author) 4.38 avg rating — 1,515 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Elements of Active Prose by Tahlia Newland (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 33 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	How to Write Fiction: Tools and Techniques by E.E. Doc Murdock (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Magic of Fiction by Beth Hill (Goodreads Author) 4.38 avg rating — 39 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Scream Writer's Handbook: How to Write a Terrifying Screenplay in 10 Bloody Steps by Thomas Fenton (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 52 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Write for Life: Creative Tools for Every Writer by Julia Cameron 3.97 avg rating — 1,070 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	What If?: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers by Anne Bernays 3.90 avg rating — 1,829 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The School Story by Andrew Clements 3.99 avg rating — 12,326 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The Golden Theme: How to Make Your Writing Appeal to the Highest Common Denominator by Brian McDonald (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 317 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl B. Klein (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 575 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Mutes & earthquakes: Bill Manhire's creative writing course at Victoria by Bill Manhire 3.85 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Authors Unchained: Some Rules Were Made to be Broken by Dawn M. Turner (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Second Sight: An Editor's Talks on Writing, Revising, and Publishing Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl B. Klein (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 424 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	The Exercise Book: creative writing exercises from Victoria University's Institute of Modern letters by Ken Duncum (editor) 4.43 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Description by Monica Wood 4.07 avg rating — 606 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Stein on Writing by Sol Stein 4.28 avg rating — 4,782 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	2,000 to 10,000: How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 4,655 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction by Damon Knight 4.04 avg rating — 825 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes by Tami D. Cowden (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 521 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Million Dollar Outlines by David Farland (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 840 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card 3.91 avg rating — 4,869 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Creating Characters: A Writer's Reference to the Personality Traits That Bring Fictional People to Life by Howard Lauther 4.07 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	The Joy of Writing Sex: A Guide for Fiction Writers by Elizabeth Benedict (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 355 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 316,543 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Creating Characters: How to Build Story People by Dwight V. Swain 3.92 avg rating — 238 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide To Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 3,674 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	2,000 to 10,000: How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 4,655 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	World-Building by Stephen L. Gillett 3.89 avg rating — 407 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Revision (Writer's Workshop) by Kit Reed 3.92 avg rating — 24 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Million Dollar Outlines by David Farland (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 840 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Style is the Rocket: and Other Essays on Writing by Tom Simon 4.33 avg rating — 15 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	How to Write Dazzling Dialogue: The Fastest Way to Improve Any Manuscript by James Scott Bell (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 2,211 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life by Natalie Goldberg 4.14 avg rating — 6,556 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Thunder and Lightning: Cracking Open the Writer's Craft by Natalie Goldberg 4.05 avg rating — 1,437 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Death Carries a Camcorder: Essays on fantasy writing by Tom Simon 4.33 avg rating — 18 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	The Pursuit of Perfection: And How It Harms Writers by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 209 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Writing Down the Dragon: and Other Essays on the Tolkien Method and the Craft of Fantasy by Tom Simon 4.44 avg rating — 36 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Wrede on Writing: Tips, Hints, and Opinions on Writing by Patricia C. Wrede (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 170 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Writing Down The Bones: Freeing The Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg 4.21 avg rating — 31,743 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Write Like the Masters: Emulating the Best of Hemingway, Faulkner, Salinger, and Others by William Cane (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 162 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You by Ray Bradbury 4.08 avg rating — 21,314 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder 4.02 avg rating — 21,692 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One by Stanley Fish 3.48 avg rating — 3,336 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	The Rhetoric of Fiction by Wayne C. Booth 4.01 avg rating — 1,272 ratings score: 73, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	A Rhetoric of Irony (Phoenix Books) by Wayne C. Booth 3.92 avg rating — 88 ratings score: 72, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Take Joy: The Writers Guide To Loving The Craft by Jane Yolen (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 527 ratings score: 71, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones 3.95 avg rating — 4,944 ratings score: 70, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	On Becoming a Novelist by John Gardner 4.10 avg rating — 3,122 ratings score: 69, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster 3.80 avg rating — 4,947 ratings score: 68, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers by John Gardner 3.99 avg rating — 6,289 ratings score: 67, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Beginnings, Middles, and Ends by Nancy Kress (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 2,507 ratings score: 66, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty 3.84 avg rating — 7,300 ratings score: 65, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Writing the Breakout Novel: Insider Advice for Taking Your Fiction to the Next Level by Donald Maass 4.08 avg rating — 4,077 ratings score: 64, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars