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Creative Writing Books

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On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (Mass Market Paperback)
by (shelved 136 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.34 — 328,077 ratings — published 2000
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Bird by Bird Bird by Bird (Paperback)
by (shelved 99 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.24 — 115,202 ratings — published 1994
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Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within (Paperback)
by (shelved 56 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.21 — 32,455 ratings — published 1986
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The Elements of Style The Elements of Style (Hardcover)
by (shelved 47 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.18 — 88,453 ratings — published 1918
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The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity (Paperback)
by (shelved 47 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.96 — 124,775 ratings — published 2002
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The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers (Paperback)
by (shelved 46 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.10 — 10,551 ratings — published 1992
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Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them (Paperback)
by (shelved 42 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.78 — 12,159 ratings — published 2006
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Save the Cat! Writes a Novel Save the Cat! Writes a Novel (Paperback)
by (shelved 36 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.49 — 14,681 ratings — published 2018
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The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression (Writers Helping Writers, #1) The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression (Writers Helping Writers, #1)
by (shelved 36 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.53 — 6,454 ratings — published 2012
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On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (Paperback)
by (shelved 35 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.24 — 31,681 ratings — published 1976
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Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish (Paperback)
by (shelved 34 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.11 — 6,020 ratings — published 2004
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Outlining Your Novel (Helping Writers Become Authors, #1) Outlining Your Novel (Helping Writers Become Authors, #1)
by (shelved 33 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.12 — 4,907 ratings — published 2011
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Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print (Paperback)
by (shelved 33 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.25 — 7,267 ratings — published 1993
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Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You (Mass Market Paperback)
by (shelved 32 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.08 — 21,999 ratings — published 1973
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Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting (Hardcover)
by (shelved 32 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.27 — 18,065 ratings — published 1997
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Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author's Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author's Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 31 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.31 — 3,790 ratings — published 2016
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Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction (Paperback)
by (shelved 30 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.32 — 4,326 ratings — published 2013
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Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere)
by (shelved 29 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.18 — 6,840 ratings — published 2016
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Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (Paperback)
by (shelved 29 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.10 — 4,062 ratings — published 1987
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Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew (Paperback)
by (shelved 28 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.25 — 6,624 ratings — published 1998
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Becoming a Writer Becoming a Writer (Paperback)
by (shelved 27 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.00 — 6,393 ratings — published 1934
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Characters & Viewpoint Characters & Viewpoint (Paperback)
by (shelved 26 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.04 — 4,744 ratings — published 1988
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Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York's Acclaimed Creative Writing School Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York's Acclaimed Creative Writing School (Paperback)
by (shelved 26 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.20 — 2,273 ratings — published 2003
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A Swim in a Pond in the Rain A Swim in a Pond in the Rain (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 25 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.53 — 27,501 ratings — published 2021
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Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need (Paperback)
by (shelved 25 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.01 — 22,879 ratings — published 2005
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The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers (Paperback)
by (shelved 25 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.99 — 6,396 ratings — published 1984
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Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story (Paperback)
by (shelved 24 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.33 — 3,545 ratings — published 2013
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The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller (Hardcover)
by (shelved 24 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.25 — 7,463 ratings — published 2007
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Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer (Hardcover)
by (shelved 24 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.20 — 5,992 ratings — published 2006
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The Hero with a Thousand Faces The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Paperback)
by (shelved 24 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.12 — 46,320 ratings — published 1949
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The War of Art The War of Art (Paperback)
by (shelved 24 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.96 — 124,055 ratings — published 2002
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Story Engineering Story Engineering (Paperback)
by (shelved 23 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.09 — 3,336 ratings — published 2011
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The Writing Life: The Classic Essay Collection on the Creative Process The Writing Life: The Classic Essay Collection on the Creative Process (Paperback)
by (shelved 23 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.98 — 18,806 ratings — published 1989
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Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence (Paperback)
by (shelved 22 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.20 — 5,719 ratings — published 2012
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Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear (Hardcover)
by (shelved 21 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.96 — 241,269 ratings — published 2015
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Into the Woods: A Five Act Journey Into Story Into the Woods: A Five Act Journey Into Story (Paperback)
by (shelved 21 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.18 — 4,690 ratings — published 2013
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How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling (Hardcover)
by (shelved 20 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.87 — 2,700 ratings — published 1987
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Back to Creative Writing School Back to Creative Writing School (Paperback)
by (shelved 19 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.97 — 178 ratings — published 2013
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The Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives The Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives (Paperback)
by (shelved 19 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.19 — 3,401 ratings — published 1942
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Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints (Paperback)
by (shelved 19 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.05 — 2,233 ratings — published 2005
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The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Writing Fiction and Nonfiction The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Writing Fiction and Nonfiction (Hardcover)
by (shelved 19 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.25 — 1,225 ratings — published 2009
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Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing (Paperback)
by (shelved 18 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.90 — 5,357 ratings — published 2002
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How Fiction Works How Fiction Works (Paperback)
by (shelved 17 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.99 — 8,475 ratings — published 2008
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On Writing On Writing (Paperback)
by (shelved 16 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.02 — 4,951 ratings — published 1984
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No Plot? No Problem! No Plot? No Problem! (Paperback)
by (shelved 16 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 3.83 — 7,314 ratings — published 2004
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The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Flaws (Writers Helping Writers, #2) The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Flaws (Writers Helping Writers, #2)
by (shelved 15 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.59 — 1,936 ratings — published 2013
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The Science of Storytelling The Science of Storytelling (ebook)
by (shelved 15 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.05 — 8,850 ratings — published 2019
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A Poetry Handbook A Poetry Handbook (Paperback)
by (shelved 15 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.23 — 10,136 ratings — published 1994
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The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes (Writers Helping Writers, #3) The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes (Writers Helping Writers, #3)
by (shelved 15 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.62 — 1,643 ratings — published 2013
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2,000 to 10,000: How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love 2,000 to 10,000: How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love (Kindle Edition)
by (shelved 15 times as creative-writing)
avg rating 4.19 — 4,698 ratings — published 2012
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Red Haircrow
“Dance above the surface of the world. Let your thoughts lift you into creativity that is not hampered by opinion.”
Red Haircrow

Amit Kalantri
“Networking isn't how many people you know, it's how many people know you.”
Amit Kalantri, Wealth of Words

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