Desert Isle Keepers for Writers
Posted by Linnea on 11 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Chit Chat
A popular romance review site hands out its “Desert Isle Keeper” designation for those books it deems a romance reader would want to have in her possession when stranded on a desert isle (personally, I’d eschew the romance novel and opt for a book entitled “How To Get Rescued Quickly And How To Survive Until You Do” but I understand and appreciate the sentiment, especially as I’ve had a few of my books snag the coveted “DIK” tag).
Be that as it may, I’ve compiled my list of Desert Isle Keeper writing books. If I were stranded on an island (with electricity and internet access) and was on deadline, what how-to tomes would I want by my side? Here’s my list. Post yours!
1. Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V Swain
2. The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack Bickham
3. Beginnings, Middles and Ends by Nancy Kress
4. GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon
5. Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne and King
If I could bring only one, it would be Swain. Yeah, okay, I’m a devoted Swain-ite. But his advice speaks to me, works for me.
What books have made a difference in your writing and why? ~Linnea
Great list. I will have to check out 2 and 3.
I’ve been reading Writing for Emotional Impact which was recommended by a fellow RWAOLer and it’s great. It’s actually geared to screenwriting, but it transfers to novel writing easily.
June 11th, 2008 at 8:44 amI’d add Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas and Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey for learning craft. Then there’s Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way which picks me up when the creative well runs a little dry.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:23 am“The Writer’s Journey” is my #1 writer’s book. I’ve found the story arc and character arc breakdowns (and the visual “pies”) incredibly helpful. I have two copies of “Techniques of the Selling Writer.” LOL I bought one, forgot I had it, saw it on amazon.com and bought it again. Oh well…it DOES sound great when you read about it.
June 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pmGina, ooh, Writing for Emotional Impact sounds fascinating (and useful). Tricia, I had the pleasure of attending The Donald’s in person seminar at my FL RWA chapter mini-con last Jan. He’s quite the showman. Susan, one of my crit partners swears by Vogler. He leaves me cold but I know he works for quite a lot of writers.
~Linnea
June 11th, 2008 at 8:15 pmThe only other book I’d add is the hero and heroine archetype book by Cowden, Lefever, Viders. Otherwise, you have named all the great ones!
June 12th, 2008 at 6:11 amThe one I take out once a year for motivation: Making a Literary Life: Advice for Writers and Other Dreamers by Carolyn See.
It reminds me I’m not in this alone!
Ana Aragón
June 12th, 2008 at 7:04 pmI’ll have to check out Techniques of a Selling Writer - I’ve got all the rest of them. One I like to use when I’m developing my characters is Personality Plus by Florence Littauer. It’s got great insight in how people tick (and therefore, characters!).
June 13th, 2008 at 4:25 am