December 6, 2010

When friends and family members ask what you want for Christmas this year, have a list ready!

Below are some of the best books for writers that I read (or re-read) recently. Any of them would be a great addition to your Christmas list! (HINT: read to the end of this post for a free e-book.)

Make a Scene by Jordan E. Rosenfeld on how to craft a powerful story/book, one scene at a time.

The Fire in Fiction by agent Donald Maass discusses “passion, purpose and techniques to make your novel great.”

 

Writing It Right! by Sandy Asher, which I reviewed earlier here. If you want help with the nuts and bolts of revising, you’ll want this book.

 

A Writer’s Space by Eric Maisel on how to “make a room to dream, to work, and to write in.”

 

Write. 10 Days to Overcome Writer’s Block. Period. by Karen E. Peterson (the best book on writer’s block I’ve ever read).

 

Who Switched Off My Brain? and The Gift in You by Dr. Caroline Leaf, probably the best two nonfiction books I read this year. While not strictly about writing at all, they impacted my writing life a LOT.

Let’s Hear From You

What about you? Can you add a book to my list? In the spirit of Christmas, I’ll give the first five people who leave a comment (with their favorite book title) one of my e-booklets (your choice). Let me know if you prefer 50 Tension Techniques or Writing Mysteries for Young People.

19 Comments »

1. 

   I’m currently reading BETWEEN THE LINES: Master the Subtle elements of fiction writing by Jessica Page Morrell. Finding it fascinating and very helpful with my editing process.

   Comment by augusta scattergood — December 6, 2010 @ 5:01 pm

2. 

   Kristi – I would add Sowing Seeds, Writing for the Christian Children’s Market, a book I actually heard about from your blog. I’m about halfway through and love it! I would love to get your Writing Mysteries for Young People e-booklet. What a fun giveaway!

   Comment by Jennifer Rumberger — December 6, 2010 @ 5:28 pm

3. 

   I’ve recently been reading “Living Write” by Kelly L. Stone. It’s helping me to become a more disciplined writer and a more confident one.

   Comment by Jenny Evans Dunham — December 6, 2010 @ 5:53 pm

4. 

   Thanks Kristi for some more invaluable information! These books sound great. I always refer back to some that I have gotten over the years and find them a comfort to have on my selves. Writers block be Gone!
   (I would Love 50 Tension Techniques.)

   Comment by Linda — December 6, 2010 @ 6:00 pm

5. 

   Two books:

   Book in a Month by Victoria Lynn Schmidt — this book is excellent for helping you to write fast (um- I don’t write fast, but am getting faster), and it’s got excellent advice on plotting/pacing.

   Quit Your Day Job: How to Sleep Late, Do What You Enjoy, and Make a Ton of Money as a Writer! by Jim Denney — I read about this book here and I loved it for the title and bought it. Denney gives practical advice about making a writing life.

   Comment by Vijaya — December 6, 2010 @ 6:30 pm

6. 

   The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron has impacted my writing life quite a bit.

   Thank you, Kristi. If I have the privilege of getting one of your ebooks, I’m not sure yet which one to choose. I’m sure both are great.

   Comment by Trudy — December 6, 2010 @ 6:44 pm

7. 

   I absolutly love Fiction is folks by Robert newton Peck. Ever entertaining and insightful.
   (If I’m one of the five,I’d like 50 Tension Techniques)

   Comment by Andrea — December 6, 2010 @ 7:33 pm

8. 

   Not a new book, and not one I’ve read yet, though I feel that I have because I keep seeing quotes from it everywhere: Brenda Ueland’s _If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit_.

   Comment by Jane Heitman Healy — December 6, 2010 @ 8:19 pm

9. 

   Thank you for these wonderful ideas! I’m writing up my list right now!

   Writing Mysteries for Young People will be at the top!

   Oops, I forgot my favorite book title: No Plot, No Problem by Chris Baty is an interesting, informative read!

   -Kel

   Comment by Kelly Sharpe — December 6, 2010 @ 8:56 pm

10. 

    What?? Did I make the list this time?? LOL!

    I gotta say “Make a Scene” is my favourite. Read, re-read, and referred to again and again. “Writing it Right” also holds pride of place in my bookshelf. I also enjoy the book about writing fast, and well. Having been written in the early 90s, some of the methods are now archaic, but the principles remain the same.

    I’d love “50 Tension Techniques”, please. Thank you!

    Comment by Yvette — December 6, 2010 @ 9:21 pm

11. 

    Congratulations to the first five! (That’s Augusta, Jennifer, Jenny, Linda, and Vijaya.) Great titles, everyone! I see a couple I’m going to have to buy for myself!

    Augusta, Jenny D., and Vijaya: let me know which e-booklet you’d like to receive, and I’ll email it to you ASAP.

    And P.S. to Jane: yes, you will LOVE Brenda Ueland’s book! It’s a classic.

    P.P.S.S. I extended it to include Trudy at #6, as I noticed (later) that one of the first five didn’t include a book title.

    Comment by Kristi Holl — December 6, 2010 @ 9:30 pm

12. 

    Kristi, I’d like “Writing Mysteries for Young People.” Thanks so much. This was fun.

    Comment by Jenny Evans Dunham — December 6, 2010 @ 10:36 pm

13. 

    I would like 50 Tension Techniques please. THANK you! It’s like having an early Christmas present.

    Comment by Vijaya — December 6, 2010 @ 11:53 pm

14. 

    I would love the ebooklet on Tension Techniques. Thanks!

    Comment by augusta scattergood — December 7, 2010 @ 5:45 am

15. 

    Thanks for getting back to me. All six should have received their selection. If you didn’t, contact me and I’ll re-send. Merry Christmas early!

    Comment by Kristi Holl — December 7, 2010 @ 8:26 am

16. 

    I am so honored to find my book here as a recommendation. Thanks to all of you who have read it or will, and especially to you, Kristi. As a thank you I’d love to send you a free copy of Make a Scene that you may keep or give as a gift. I have some beautiful hardcovers.

    Visit my blog to contact me: http://www.jordanrosenfeld.wordpress.com

    Comment by Jordan Rosenfeld — December 7, 2010 @ 4:47 pm

17. 

    Thanks, Jordan! Your book is one of the most useful plotting books I’ve read. And I’ve read a lot of them over the years!

    Comment by Kristi Holl — December 8, 2010 @ 12:33 pm

18. 

    LOL Obviously, I didn’t make it in time for the contest, but I wanted to add “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books” by Harold Underdown. This is my bible!

    Andrea

    Comment by Andrea — December 9, 2010 @ 1:17 am

19. 

    Yes, Andrea, isn’t it good???

    Comment by Kristi Holl — December 9, 2010 @ 10:14 am

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