Books to Learn to Write: Advice from Writers

Do you write for a living, but would like to improve? Or have you not started yet, but your dream is to transform your passion for writing into a profession? Then I have some suggestions for you. Or rather, not directly from me, but from the pages of books by some great successful writers. In fact, I have collected 7 book titles to learn to write + 1 to test yourself immediately, which I think could be right for you. In fact, I am convinced that the first action to learn this fascinating profession is to read a lot.

Here is a selection of books for those who whatsapp blasting want to write and learn more about the work of the writer through advice, practical exercises and personal experience of great names in literature.

If this is truly your passion or the path you want to follow, these are volumes that I recommend you buy. A small economic “investment” that can give you great satisfaction. Also because these are books that you can read in one breath, but also consult and return to whenever you need help or inspiration.

On Writing – Stephen King

A great classic of books on the craft of writing. On Writing by Stephen King is not a writing manual, but a fundamental reading to learn through the author’s personal experience . There are obviously style and technique tips, but what you can learn most from are the vicissitudes recounted by King in the book.  subsequent rewriting. A very interesting book.

• Read also my review: On Writing, Stephen King’s writing advice

or for money – Anton Chekhov

If you have already read manuals or creative writing texts, you will have come across excerpts from this book several times. Neither for Fame nor for Money by Chekhov is in fact one of the most cited volumes when talking about books for learning to write. Through the author’s notes, diaries, letters and reports, you can really learn a lot. In the two sections of the book, there are practical suggestions for composing a text and dealing with characters, but also ideas and suggestions for working on a report, from the research phase to the final writing. A timeless read.

The Craft of Writing – Raymond Carver

What’s better than learning from a great writer? After King and Chekhov, your library can’t miss The Craft of Writing by Raymond Carver . A precious text because the master of American narrative was a teacher as well as a successful writer. And so in the book you will find his lessons, exercises and advice for writing better . Among the pages an important concept is also explained, with which I agree very much: talent is useful, but it is of little use without a precise method and a lot of consistency in work.

The link to the book

American Lessons – Italo Calvino

This book collects 5 lectures that Italo Calvino should what is on page optimization in seo? how to? have held at Harvard University. The author’s death meant that they became a collection that – despite having been written in the mid-80s – is still very current today . The lectures correspond to what Calvino believed should be the values ​​of literature in the new millennium . And guess what? Obviously he was right, because like all greats he had a sensitivity that could see far ahead. The essay on lightness is unmissable , my absolute favorite.

Here is the link to the book

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The Craft of the Writer – John Gardner

A practical text, with attention to detail. The Writer’s Craft by John Gardner does not reveal miraculous recipes or even how to be kissed by divine inspiration, but goes straight to the point, truly analyzing this profession from all points of view. Through examples, suggestions, quotes , the author talks about spelling and punctuation, rewriting and revisions, how to choose a writing course or collaborate with the editor. An excellent text to have a complete picture of the profession from A to Z.

The link to the book

The Craft of the Writer – Murakami Haruki

Same title as Gardner’s book, another quick signs point of view. Murakami Haruki , one of the most successful writers of recent years, takes us into his creative world. A bit like Stephen King’s On Writing, in this book we learn a lot through the author’s experience. Murakami Haruki tells in detail the secrets of his writing process , enriching everything with curious and precious anecdotes taken from his life. A sort of literary autobiography from which you can learn a lot, but which is also a simply interesting and pleasant book to read. Which never hurts.

Here is the link to the book

Creative Writing Lessons – Gotham Writers’ Workshop

This is the manual you must have at all costs. Creative Writing Lessons collects the theoretical lessons of the Gotham Writers’ Workshop , the main American creative writing school. An unmissable text because it helps you learn (and/or improve) all the phases of the “craft”. From finding ideas to developing the structure of a text, from the care in the language to the revision phase, up to the moment of publication. All accompanied by precious writing exercises and analysis of texts by great writers. In my opinion, a manual to read and reread on several occasions.