Authors Who Write Books On Writing

A book is for learning, for joy, and for satisfaction

Last Friday, I used a quote by Orson Scott Card at the top of my post. A writer friend and Follower of my blog commented that this writer was one of his favorites, that he wrote wonderful sci-fi books and also books on writing including Characters and Viewpoint; How To Write Science Fiction; and Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction. 

I started thinking about other writers who stepped away from their usual genre to write books that are meant to help new writers, intermediate writers and even advanced writers. Should you and I read them? You bet! These books are written by proven, published writers. They know what they are talking about. Bigtime!

I like that they are willing to share their expertise and their experiences with other writers. Granted, they want to sell the book and make some money but they are also willing to give advice to other writers. I admire those who do that. I also thank them as I have read many books on writing that have been written by well-known authors. I have gained a lot from each one.

Here is a partial list of books written by novelists about writing. Look for them in bookstores or online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

• Ursula LeGuin--Conversations on Writing; Steering the Craft; Words Are My Matter
• Anne LaMott--Bird By Bird
• Stephen King--On Writing:  A Memoir of the Craft
• Elizabeth George--Write Away: One Novelist's Approach To Fiction and The Writing Life; The Art of Writing
• Ray Bradbury--Zen in the Art of Writing
• Ernest Hemingway--Ernest Hemingway On Writing
• Nancy Kress--Beginnings, Middles and Ends; Characters, Emotion, and Viewpoints; Crafting Dynamic Dialogue

There are many more which you can find by hunting through your favorite search engine. Do you have any favorites to add to this list?