These are great. I’ve read the Wood and have Refuse to Be Done on my shelf. About to serialize my novel, so better pull that one out! I loved Meander, Spiral, Explode by Jane Allison. And Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses rewired my brain.
I second your high praise for Matt Bell’s Refuse to Be Done. I’d also recommend a look at Tiffany Yates Martin’s Intuitive Editing when entering the revision process.
Thank you for these suggestions! It's been a while since I read a craft book, and I'll have to add Matt Bell's book to my list. I remember liking Donald Maass's book on emotion.
omg i am reading The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante right now and it is DELICIOUS. every word, sentence, graph is essential and gorgeous. i don't want it to end!
Was The Lost Daughter your first taste of Ferrante?! I have so much to say. The Days of Abandonment is similarly delicious. And the Neapolitan Quartet is a cult favorite for a VERY GOOD REASON. You can't go wrong with her!
The show is great but naturally the books are way better! Also check out Troubling Love! That and The Days of Abandonment are both short like The Lost Daughter.
I could literally talk about Ferrante forever. I own everything she’s written, including her v v v v weird children’s book 🤣🤣🤣
I thought I was pretty well versed in my craft books, but for some reason all three of these have slipped under my radar! Thanks for bringing them to my attention, they look fantastic!
Oh that is so amazing though! There are TONS of good craft books and it can be overwhelming to know which ones to read. Recommendations are always the best 🥹
Love Refuse to Be Done and Self Editing for Fiction Writers. Will definitely check the third title out, thank you for the rec. Best of luck with your draft!
I am not much for craft, but somehow James Scott Bell gives me everything I need, every time. I like Write from the Middle and The Art of War for writers. I am a romance writer and I re-read Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes before I begin every book.
These are great. I’ve read the Wood and have Refuse to Be Done on my shelf. About to serialize my novel, so better pull that one out! I loved Meander, Spiral, Explode by Jane Allison. And Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses rewired my brain.
I definitely need to read Craft in the Real World. You're like the 80th person I've seen talk about it recently!
Also, have you serialized your novel yet??
YES!! I just published Chapter 1 on Thursday! So excited that it’s launched. 🥰💥
OMG! Congratulations!!!!
I second your high praise for Matt Bell’s Refuse to Be Done. I’d also recommend a look at Tiffany Yates Martin’s Intuitive Editing when entering the revision process.
Thanks for the recommendation! I heard her speak once but haven’t read that yet.
Thank you for these suggestions! It's been a while since I read a craft book, and I'll have to add Matt Bell's book to my list. I remember liking Donald Maass's book on emotion.
Matt Bell’s book is so approachable and easy to act on. Now I couldn’t imagine revising a novel without it!
That’s very high praise and sounds so useful!
omg i am reading The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante right now and it is DELICIOUS. every word, sentence, graph is essential and gorgeous. i don't want it to end!
RIGHT?!?!
How did you feel when you finished? I need to re-read that book, I love it so freaking much.
like i have to read everything else she's ever written.... immediately... !!! let me know if you have a rec of where I should go next!
Ha! You will be so happy you did!!! Please lmk immediately after you read 🤣🫶🏽
Was The Lost Daughter your first taste of Ferrante?! I have so much to say. The Days of Abandonment is similarly delicious. And the Neapolitan Quartet is a cult favorite for a VERY GOOD REASON. You can't go wrong with her!
it was my first Ferrante but i’ve *seen* My Brilliant Friend. alright thank you for these!! i will report back!!
The show is great but naturally the books are way better! Also check out Troubling Love! That and The Days of Abandonment are both short like The Lost Daughter.
I could literally talk about Ferrante forever. I own everything she’s written, including her v v v v weird children’s book 🤣🤣🤣
hahah oh i really live for a delicious novella length book - feels like a whirlwind love affair. thank you, Kolina!!
i will!!
Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham. Technical/mechanics.
Looking into it now!
I thought I was pretty well versed in my craft books, but for some reason all three of these have slipped under my radar! Thanks for bringing them to my attention, they look fantastic!
Oh that is so amazing though! There are TONS of good craft books and it can be overwhelming to know which ones to read. Recommendations are always the best 🥹
Good luck with your writing!
yay exactly what I was looking for, craft on craft! one of my go-tos is Elaine Scarry’s Dreaming by the Book. Imma be ordering these ASAP tho!
I've never heard of Dreaming by the Book! Looking into it now, thank you Krys!! 🫶🏽
Love Refuse to Be Done and Self Editing for Fiction Writers. Will definitely check the third title out, thank you for the rec. Best of luck with your draft!
Thanks so much, Kat! I just now saw all these comments and am going through them four months later 🥴. So sorry, I wasn't ignoring you!
no worries!! life is like that haha.
Love this post. Ordering Bell’s book now. Thank you!!
Hi Carrie! Did you ever read Refuse to be Done?! I'm so glad you ordered it!
I am not much for craft, but somehow James Scott Bell gives me everything I need, every time. I like Write from the Middle and The Art of War for writers. I am a romance writer and I re-read Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes before I begin every book.
I haven't read any of those! Looking into them all now. Thanks so much!
I've been thinking about picking up the Matt Bell book for a while! You've convinced me!
Do it!! You’ll be so happy you did!
I was just sitting down with my well-loved copy of Refuse To Be Done earlier today! It’s SUCH a great resource, and so encouraging.
Love it! It’s so good!
I haven't read a couple of these, gonna check them out!
YES. You will be happy you did. If you choose one, choose Refuse to be Done.
Yes do it! It’ll help your revision process so much.