Any suggestions for books giving good, pratical tips and advice on novel writing, particularly when it comes to structure, planning and the like.

I'm NOT looking for something that tries to convince you that if you follow the instructions carefully you'll produce a bestseller in six months. Neither am I looking for a book relating how to release the spirit of creative writing from within.

Apologies if there's already been a thread on this but I haven't been able to locate it.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Off the top of my head:

The Art of Fiction by David Lodge. The one book I would unhesitatingly recommend to every single person trying to write fiction.

The Creative Writing Coursebook by Julia Bell and Paul Magrs. Doesn't sound as promising as it is - a terrific boook, very practical about very creative matters, if you see what I mean.

Emma

Sibelius,

I was about to recommend 'The Creative Writing Coursebook' just recommended by Emma. I haven't read the David Lodge book but I liked TCWC. As Emma said, a fairly uninspiring title but quite an inspiring book. One of the things I liked about it is that there are lots of contributors so you get different views of the writing process, not that they contradict each other but they are not entirely in agreement either. It covers all stages of writing from collecting ideas to revising and submitting.

Another wonderful book is Strunk and White, 'The Elements of Style' which is not so much to do with novel-writing as writing good English but so relevant and to the point that it's very well worth reading. I have it on a Word document so WW mail me if you want me to send you a copy.

Ashlinn

Hi Ashlinn and Emma,

Well,I must be getting something right because I have the Creative Writing Coursebook and I went out and bought The Elements of Style yesterday (thanks for the offer though Ashlinn).

<Added>

Sorry I forgot to say thanks to both of you for replying. Apologies.

Okay, it sounds like a crap title, but 'How to Write Damn Good Fiction' by James N. Frey is my personal favourite for structure. Personally I don't rate the Creative Writing Coursebook particulaly highly. I'm also reading 'The Seven Basic Plots' at the moment, which is a very interesting read, and gives you a lot of ideas about structure.

D.

'The Seven Basic Plots' at the moment, which is a very interesting read, and gives you a lot of ideas about structure.

That's good to know - I've bought it, but am a bit daunted by how fat it is (and by how much else is on my reading list).

Emma

I think structuralism is back! It's such a useful book, and for me, being able to hang my ideas onto a structure is going to be just what I need. I'm about a third of the way through, and very much enjoying it.

I have it on a Word document so WW mail me if you want me to send you a copy.

I think I might let Strunck and White know about this little breach of copyright.

Not sure if this really fits the bill, but I found Stephen King's On Writing very inspiring. It's more of a good read than properly instructive though.

I was at borders the other day looking for a book on grammar etc because that seems to be the main thing that is letting my writing down.While I was there I came across loads of books for novel writing and I was really tempted to buy one, especially the 'How To Write Damn Good Fiction' one, but in the end I chose against it.

I always think that writing isn't something you can learn it is something you are naturally good at (although you can always improve!). So I chose not to get one of these books because I thought it would be a waste of time.However, after reading some people's comments on this thread about how the books are helping them with structure etc, I am definitely tempted again!

Thank you for adding this post and I too am interested in seeing everyone's responses.

Aimee xxx

Hi Aimee

We had a debate on one of these threads a couple of months ago about technique against inspiration which might be worth reading. I'm of the opinion that inspiration and imagination and the story has to come from within, but (like any of the other arts) some help and guidance in the basic building blocks of writing can improve your writing. And of course, once you know the rules you can always break them!

Thanks everyone else for your suggestions.

<Added>

Oh and I've ordered the David Lodge book that was recommended.

Not really on novel writing techniques, but Looking for the Creative Writing Coursebook on my shelves also turned up this one:

An Editor's Advice to Writers: The Forest for the Trees, by Betsy Lerner.

Lots of good and funny-but-sane advice by a very experienced American editor-turned-agent. It concentrates on the ways that writers and their needs and natures interact with the publishing industry. She fills in the gaps between 'writing down the bones' and 'don't forget to double space your manuscripts' and 'make sure the hero's introduced by chapter 3, and there's a twist in chapter 7'.

Emma

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Just dipped into it (well, it's easier on my slight hangover than loading the dishwasher) and remembered what a very, very good book it is.

Hello ! I am actually new here, i just wanted to ask, can I like see the kind of stories you people write ? I want to see them and try to learn to improve on my, own very non-professional way of writing.

Passion Red, if you click on anyone's name on their post, you get to their profile. Then click the tab that says 'work' and you'll get a list of what they've got uploaded at the moment.

Emma

These books are about analysing rather than writing fiction/narrative, but as Emma brought up the brilliant Art of Fiction, I thought I might as well mention these:

Style in Fiction by Geoffrey N. Leech and Michael Short
Narratology by Mieke Bal
Reading for the Plot by Peter Brooks

Rather than being told what to do to achieve a certain effect, I have found it much more helpful to examine how texts do what they do... or at the very least, it's useful to see things from another point of view!