Resources for Authors

I love to learn and share knowledge. While attending conferences and workshops, reading books and blogs, and chatting with fellow authors, I have compiled a list of references that are extremely useful to any writer, no matter the genre. Feel free to suggest other references that have been most beneficial to you. I love a new reference book.

References:

• Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder (Plot & Storyline issues)
• GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon
• On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft by Stephen King (This is about writing)
• Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
• The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
• The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Attributes by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
• The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Flaws by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
• The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
• Writing Active Hooks Book 1: Action, Emotion, Surprise and More by Mary Buckham
• Writing Active Hooks Book 2: Evocative Description, Character, Dialogue, Foreshadowing and Where to Use Hooks by Mary Buckham
• Writing Active Setting Book 1: Characterization and Sensory Detail
  by Mary Buckham
• Writing Active Setting Book 2: Emotion, Conflict and Back Story
  by Mary Buckham
• Writing Active Setting Book 3: Anchoring, Action, as a Character and More
  by Mary Buckham
• The Definitive Book of Body Language: The Hidden Meaning Behind People’s Gestures and Expressions by by Barbara and Allan Pease
• English Simplified by Blanche Ellsworth (Grammar)
• The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White (Style)
• The Fire in Fiction: Passion, Purpose and Techniques to Make Your Novel Great
  by Donald Maass
• THE NOVEL WRITER’S TOOLKIT: From Idea to Best-Seller
  by Bob Mayer
• Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting
  by Robert McKee (extremely useful information for novelists)
• The Success Principles(TM) – 10th Anniversary Edition: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
  by Stephen R. Covey

Workshops

• *Deep Edits by Margie Lawson (online, in person, or buy the material and read it)
• Before you Hit Send – Angela James Executive Editor Carina Press (Editing Workshop)
• Break Into Fiction by Mary Buckham
• Using Software Tools to Track Your Writing by Author Jodi Ashland (free PDF 11MB)

Writing Software

• Microsoft Word and OneNote
• Scrivner (I love this tool for writing novels!)
• The Write Way
• Vellum (formatting beautiful e-books for MAC)

Associations

• Romance Writer’s of America (RWA)
• Local chapter of RWA in a city near you to meet local authors
  • Example: Greater Seattle RWA, Eastside RWA
• Mystery Writer’s of America

 

The links above are affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you choose to purchase the book. They are for your convenience. I have personally read, use, and recommend these resources for authors. If you prefer, you can go to your favorite online retailer or book store to purchase the book. As a convenience, you can click on the links above to see what stores the books are available.