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Lisa Poisso, Story Coach & Editor

One of the ways I like to help writers is by recommending resources that provide actionable strategies, as opposed to the sort of inspirational and motivational cheerleading that leaves you feeling good about writing but still at a loss about how to do it. These books are the titles I recommend to my clients—the ones they tell me that actually work.

 

There's a reason these lists are short. These are the best of the best!

Essentials: Story Development
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Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence
Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhe
Writing Your Story's Theme: The Writer's Guide to Plotting Stories That Matter
Creating Character Arcs Workbook: The Writer's Reference to Exceptional Character Development and Creative Writing
Writing Archetypal Character Arcs: The Hero's Journey and Beyond
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Essentials: Plotting & Outlining
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Structuring Your Novel (Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition): Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story
Structuring Your Novel Workbook: Hands-On Help for Building Strong and Successful Stories
Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success
Outlining Your Novel Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises for Planning Your Best Book
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Essentials: Writing & Narrative Technique
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Revision and Self Editing for Publication: Techniques for Transforming Your First Draft Into a Novel That Sells
5 Editors Tackle the 12 Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print
The Magic of Fiction: Crafting Words into Story: The Writer's Guide to Writing & Editing (Revised with New Content)
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Essentials: Revision
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Fixing Your Character and Point of View Problems: Revising Your Novel: Book One
Fixing Your Plot and Story Structure Problems: Revising Your Novel: Book Two
Fixing Your Setting and Description Problems: Revising Your Novel: Book Three
The Magic of Fiction: Crafting Words into Story: The Writer's Guide to Writing & Editing (Revised with New Content)
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Essentials: Scenes
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Structuring Your Novel (Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition): Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story
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Essentials: Reference for Novelists
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The Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression (Second Edition)
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
The Best Punctuation Book, Period: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Writer, Editor, Student, and Businessperson
The Magic of Fiction: Crafting Words into Story: The Writer's Guide to Writing & Editing (Revised with New Content)
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Beyond the Basics
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Damn Fine Story: Mastering the Tools of a Powerful Narrative
Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting
A Dash of Style: The Art and Mastery of Punctuation
Understanding Conflict: (and What It Really Means)
Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing
The Writer's Journey - 25th Anniversary Edition: Mythic Structure for Writers
Elements of Fiction Writing - Scene & Structure
Techniques of the Selling Writer
Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen
The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile (Original)
Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey Into Story
The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing
The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface
Character: The Art of Role and Cast Design for Page, Stage, and Screen
The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide: Prompts and Activities to Create and Customize Your Own Game World
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Category & Genre Resources
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Get Started in Writing Historical Fiction
Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels
The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults
The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide: Prompts and Activities to Create and Customize Your Own Game World
A Burglar's Guide to the City
Write Naked: A Bestseller's Secrets to Writing Romance & Navigating the Path to Success
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers
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Memoir
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The Art of Memoir
The Situation and the Story: The Art of Personal Narrative
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The Writer's Life
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The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You about Being Creative
Prompting Originality: The A.I. Handbook for Humans
Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life
The Creative ACT: A Way of Being
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