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Writing is a craft and there are zillions of books out in the market to help writers improve their craft. I’ve read dozens, purchased a few. Whether you are a beginning writer or not, here’s a list of books on writing that I keep on my desk for quick reference:

 

1. Chicago Manual of Style. Mine is the 17^th edition; the 18^th edition is now out with tons of changes, mostly addressing Rights, Permissions, and Copyright Administration (Chapter 4).

 

2. Analyzing English Grammar. Remember diagramming sentences? It still makes sense to do so. There are rules to follow, and following them helps you when a literary agent or publisher asks for those first 10, 20, or 30 pages.

 

3. Understanding Show, Don’t Tell (And Really Getting It) by Janice Hardy. Perhaps my favorite of the lot. Easy to read, easy to understand. Easy to correct what you are doing wrong.

 

4. Editing Fiction at the Sentence Level, by Louise Harnby. This book took me by the hand and led me through my editing process.

 

5. The Author’s Checklist: An Agent’s Guide in Developing and Editing Your Manuscript, by Elizabeth K. Kratcht. 200 pages packed with great information.

 

P.S. – At my library’s book sale, I nabbed a book that seems to be on everyone’s “must read” list of books about writing — Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, by Ann Lamott. It hasn’t made it to the desk for reference yet, but I have an idea is may end up there.