Top 9 Books About Creative Writing
Creative writing is the art of expressing oneself through words using imagination, originality, and style. It includes fiction, poetry, and non-fiction that doesn’t necessarily adhere to strict rules or conventions.
Creative writing gives authors a sense of self-expression, helps improve their critical thinking and communication skills, and can foster empathy and understanding among their readers. It can also be therapeutic and an important form of artistic expression. Unfortunately, not many writers understand how to master this skill. If you wish to improve your creative writing, consider reading the following books:
1. Find Your Voice
One of the most challenging aspects of creative writing is finding your unique voice and staying true to your vision, rather than altering it to please others. Author Angie Thomas provides valuable guidance to those who struggle with writing novels or Young Adult fiction. Her writing is honest and relatable, covering topics such as overcoming writer’s block and determining the final form of a draft. Additionally, reliable ghostwriting services include prompts and exercises, as well as helpful hints and suggestions, to assist writers in overcoming obstacles.
2. Linguistics: Why It Matters
As language is constantly evolving, and the rules for grammar, meaning, and logic are always being debated, what can traditional forms of language and linguistics reveal about ourselves, our cultures, and our connection to the physical world? Author Geoffrey K Pullum examines several philosophical inquiries through scientific examination of human languages – including their grammar, clauses, and limitations. A readable and captivating resource for those interested in the intricacies of language.
3. Feel Free
In these insightful and relevant essays written between 2010 and 2017, Zadie Smith showcases her ability to analyze a wide range of subjects. She examines high-level philosophical ideas while also discussing her own experience as a fiction writer. In “The I Who Is Not Me“, Smith delves into how personal experiences shape the writing of novels and offers insight into her perspective on the complex and often dualistic views of race, class, and ethnicity in British society.
4. Essays by Lydia Davis
Davis is recognized as a leading writer of short fiction, including flash fiction and stories. These essays, written over several decades, detail her writing process and her experimentation with form, language, and its limits. She reflects on how readers interpret her work and the importance of taking risks in micro-fiction, as well as the value of brevity.
5. Mouth Full of Blood
This book is a collection of essays and lectures by the late Nobel Prize winner, Toni Morrison. It is a must-read because it brings together her most thought-provoking reflections on citizenship, race, and art, and provides valuable insight into the craft of writing. Morrison writes about the changes she made to her most famous novel, Beloved. One of the most famous quotes by Morrison is, “As writers, what we do is remember. And to remember this world is to create it.”
6. On Poetry
Poetry is often deemed difficult- found only in artistic circles or high school classrooms. One of the strengths of Jonathan Davidson’s writing is that he makes poetry feel personal and relatable rather than dry or distant. He examines how poems thoughtfully impact us without being exclusionary. This book is a valuable resource for writers interested in how poetry stays with us throughout our lives.
7. Madness, Rack, and Honey
This book is a collection of lectures by professor and poet Mary Ruefle, who offers a scholarly examination of various aspects of the writer’s mind and craft. Ruefle has a unique talent for exploring broad and complex subjects with such clear and original insights that readers will feel like they have gained a new perspective after reading only a few pages. The themes covered in the book include sentimentality in poetry, fear, beginnings, and the topic of wonder, which she returns to throughout the book. One of her famous quotes from the book is, “A poem is a finished work of the mind. It is not the work of a finished mind.”
8. The Hatred of Poetry
The Hatred is an intellectual exploration of the cultural significance of poetry. Author Ben Lerner presents a nuanced argument for why writers and readers turn to poetry and examines why it is often considered tedious or elitist. He challenges readers to re-evaluate the value placed on the art form today and presents a less idealistic perspective on poetry criticism.
9. Essayism
Written by Brian Dillon, this book describes the essay as an “experiment in attention.” It is a thorough and dynamic examination of the essay, illuminating how and why certain essays have shaped the political and cultural landscape since the end of the Middle Ages. It provides an insightful and curious discussion on the popular yet challenging genre of writing, which is the essay.
Conclusion
These books offer valuable insights into the creative writing process, i.e., the craft of writing, and the cultural significance of literature. They are written by accomplished authors and experts in their field, who provide a wealth of knowledge and experience on various topics such as fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and essay. If you’re still not sure how to master the art of creative writing, we can help! We’re a book writing company that offers book writing professionals for hire at reasonable rates. Our reliable ghostwriting service is flawless, transparent, and the most reliable one in the literary world! Contact us today if you wish to become a published author.