The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day and guess what, it’s the first Wednesday in August! Post your thoughts, talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered, discuss your struggles and triumphs, and offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Every month we have volunteer co-hosts who keep the conversations flowing and the blog posts on point. This month we owe our thanks to PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!
There’s also always a (totally optional) question to get your creative juices flowing. For August 4th, the question is What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time your read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique.
I’m sure some readers are expecting me to say On Writing, by Stephen King or Save The Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. I also occasionally glue my eyeballs to Rivet Your Readers With Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson. All three of these are valuable resources, and all of them contain points I return to again and again when I need a refresher. While reading them, I’m forever running into a technique which makes me smack my forehead and say ‘why did I forget that? Get your act together, brain!’ I recommend them wholeheartedly if you’re interested.
But I can’t forget that I write in one specific genre. I’ve outlined it before in detail, but to briefly recap: writing a romance you must know the basics of crafting an engaging, plot-filled story, and also how to write a believable, emotional relationship between two people. Mush those two things together (it must look effortless) and then you have a romance book.
So the one book which inspires every time and continues to teach me is Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels by Gwen Hayes. When I need to ground myself in my genre, it’s the book I turn to. It has some detractions (short, not enough examples) but it’s a solid technique manual and reminds me to mind my plot points.
Good to know about Romancing The beat. Thanks for sharing, SE.
Awesome! I’m glad to be helpful 🙂
It’s handy to have craft books or websites to revisit when writing. Thank you for sharing the books you’ve read
You’re welcome! May they be of use to someone else.
Yes! Romancing the Beat is a must have! Your other recs are aces too! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome to hear. Thanks, PK!
Yup! Romancing the Beat can’t be beat for romance. In my current project, I’m breaking one of the rules from that volume–I’m skipping the Break-Up beat! Blasphemous, I know, but some recent discussions on romance podcasts & social media groups got me thinking. The couple will have an all-is-lost moment, but they won’t break up. Wish me luck!
Psssh, I absolutely hate the break up beat. I’ve never included it. I also don’t sell a lot of books, so there is that! Haha, I hope it works out for you.
I think you’re the first one who came up with books that are totally new to me! I’m going to have to track them down for a closer look. Happy IWSG Day!
Fun! I hope they’re entertaining and educational at the same time.
Great recommendations!
Ronel visiting for IWSG day <a href=”https://www.ronelthemythmaker.com/being-busy-vs-being-productive-iwsg-authorpreneur/”>Being Busy vs Being Productive</a>
Thanks Ronel! I’m lagging a bit behind but I look forward to checking out your post for today 🙂
If it’s taught you how to mush, that’s great!
Much mushing, yes! LOL thank you.
I recently read Save the Cat for Writers and really found it helpful. I’m planning to buy it. That’s great you have a craft book on the genre you’re writing in too.
Definitely! I don’t know if there are craft specific books for each genre but I would bet there are. It seems like such a smart idea 🙂