We critique based on current recommendations for good writing of genre fiction found in articles, books, conferences, and courses. Each of us study good writing outside of the critique group by reading and studying how-to books, articles and blogs, attending conferences, and taking courses and workshops. We’ve found the following sources helpful and readily available. (Many are available to borrow from us from our group library.)
Overviews of novel writing (some of them with exercises/plans):
- Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
- How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling by James N. Frey
- The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall
- Writing the Breakout Novel (and workbook)
- The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass
- Writing 21st century Fiction by Donald Maass
- The 90-Day Novel: Unlock the story within by Alan Watt
(though 90 days is unrealistic for most of us) - The Weekend Novelist by Robert J. Ray and Bret Norris
- Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer
- The Essential Guide to Writing a Novel: A Complete and Concise Manual for Fiction Writers by James Thayer
- The Everything Guide to Writing a Novel by Joyce and Jim Lavene
Genre specific overviews:
- Wonderbook : the illustrated guide to creating imaginative fiction by Jeff Vandermeer
- Spec fic for newbies: a beginner’s guide to writing subgenres of science fiction, fantasy and horror by Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan
- How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
- Deborah Chester’s The Fantasy Fiction Formula (helpful despite its misleading title)
- On Writing Romance: How to Craft a Novel That Sells by Leigh Michaels
- How to Write Romances by Phyllis Taylor Pianka
- How to Write Killer Fiction: The Funhouse of Mystery & the Roller Coaster of Suspense by Carolyn Wheat
- How to Write a Mystery by Larry Beinhart
- How to write Historical Fiction by Roberta Gellis
Essentials (many from Writers Digest’s The Elements of Fiction Writing series):
- Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
- Conflict & Suspense by James Scott Bell
- Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham
- Beginnings, Middles, and Ends by Nancy Kress
- The Emotional Craft of Writing by Donald Maass
- Conflict & Suspense by James Scott Bell
- Description by Monica Bell
- Setting by Jack Bickham
- The Art of Character by David Corbett
- The Compass of Character by David Corbett
- Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
- Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood
- Theme & Strategy by Ronald B. Tobias
Blogs and websites including but not limited to:
If plotting is a particular weakness, try:
- James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure
- Robert McKee’s Story
- Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
- Martha Alderson’s The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories and site
- Story Physics: Harnessing the Underlying Forces of Storytelling by Larry Brooks and site
Writer’s Digest Magazine (available by subscription or in local bookstores) Back issues can often be checked out from the public library
For genre-specific self-education, members are encouraged to also join and participate in the activities of other national and local writing organizations as appropriate:
- Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
- Romance Writers of America (RWA)
- International Thriller Writers (ITW)
- Sisters in Crime (SinC)
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
- Horror Writers of American (HWA)
- Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) etc.
Workshops, classes, courses:
- Shaw Guide to Writing Workshops
- Writers Digest Online Courses
- RWA Kiss of Death
- MWA University
- Odyssey Writing Workshop
- Viable Paradise
- Clarion Workshop
- Clarion West Workshop
Updated January 4, 2024
Header Photo: Ithaca, NY courtesy of the talented Paul Joran