12 Days of Pre-Christmas: Gift Eleven For Your Writer Friend
My favorite books on characters.
It’s too late to order online, but go to any brick and mortar bookstore and you will find an entire section on Writing! You can’t go wrong. Include a gift receipt just in case they have that one already.
An author’s bookshelf.
Books About Writing:
What they are:
Books that will give you real detail or a master class to advance your writing. There are also books on contracts and editors/agents, but those have a shorter shelf life than something on craft.
Understand the value of backstory.
Why they’re great:
Similar to magazines, there is information and inspiration, but books will generally have deep knowledge you can refer to over and over again. I often pull out a book from my shelf when I think I’m missing something, can’t figure out what’s wrong with my plot, or need a little kick to get on track.
Heroes & Heroines – Know your archetypes!
What to look for:
There are some classic books I always recommend for writers. GMC: Goal Motivation and Conflict By Debra Dixon. The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler, now in its 3rd edition. Anything on Character Archetypes for Heroes or Villains – check out books by Tami Cowden and friends. Donald Maas has a couple good ones – I liked Writing the Breakout Novel for when you are early in your career. And on many writer’s shelves, but one that takes years to absorb, is Dwight V. Swain’s The Techniques of the Selling Writer.
A nice accessory to a book on craft is a decorative
paperweight. Almost the only time I use a paperweight is to hold open a book, like a cookbook – or a book on the writing craft.
Include a note: “Not that you NEED this, but thought it might give a little extra inspiration.”
What is Costs:
Approximately $14.00 – $20.00
Visit tomorrow for the 12th and final day of Pre-Christmas Gifts for Writers.
Don’t Forget To Enter My Contest!
One person will win a $100 USD Amazon Gift Card to replenish their wallet after the holidays! Subscribe to my mailing list here, and follow me on Twitter. If you are already subscribed, just follow on Twitter by December 28, 2015. Must be discoverable on both platforms to qualify.
Winner announced December 30, 2015.
Until tomorrow!
Tricia
A classic paperweight for writers.