6 Writing Craft Books That Transformed My Approach to Storytelling
When I first started writing, I thought storytelling was all about inspiration. But the more I wrote, the more I realized that great stories aren’t just born—they’re built. Studying the craft helped me bridge the gap between my ideas and a structured, compelling novel. The books below have been instrumental in shaping my approach to writing. Whether you’re struggling with structure, character development, or outlining, these resources provide invaluable guidance. In this blog post I will briefly review 6 writing craft books, their key takeaways and how they’ve helped me.
What It Covers: Explains how to create a solid story structure, from inciting incident to resolution.
Why I Love It:
Breaks down complex structural concepts in an easy-to-digest way.
Practical examples that make abstract ideas clear.
Who It’s Best For: Writers struggling with structure or who want to deepen their understanding of story beats.
What It Covers: The psychology of character change and how to craft meaningful character arcs.
Why I Love It:
Connects plot and character in a way that makes both stronger
Offers clear, actionable steps for writing compelling transformations.
Who It’s Best For: Writers who want their characters to feel more dynamic and layered.
Can you tell I’m a fan of K.M. Weiland’s work?
What It Covers: A deep dive into outlining methods to help writers create strong foundations before drafting.
Why I Love It:
Gives flexible options for both plotters and discovery writers.
Packed with brainstorming exercises to help refine ideas.
Who It’s Best For: Writers who struggle with structure and need guidance before drafting.
What It Covers: The Snowflake Method, a step-by-step approach to building a novel from a single idea to a full manuscript.
Why I Love It:
Breaks down the overwhelming process of novel writing into manageable steps.
Great for visual thinkers who like structured progression.
Who It’s Best For: Writers who want a systematic, incremental approach to outlining and drafting.
What It Covers: The fundamentals of plotting, with techniques to keep stories engaging.
Why I Love It:
Packed with practical exercises and examples.
Covers different plot structures, so writers can find what works for them.
Who It’s Best For: Writers who need help strengthening their plots and avoiding sagging middles.
What It Covers: A deep dive into the “Six Core Competencies” of writing, including structure, character, and theme.
Why I Love It:
Offers a highly structured, almost scientific approach to storytelling.
Helps writers think about story development from a high-level perspective.
Who It’s Best For: Writers who love frameworks and want to approach storytelling analytically.
Writing is an art, but it’s also a craft that can be learned and refined. These books have helped me understand the mechanics of storytelling, giving me the tools to turn ideas into structured, compelling narratives. If you’re struggling with plot, start with Plot & Structure. If you want to dive into character development, Creating Character Arcs is a must-read. If you just have a seed of an idea and don’t know where to go next, give The Snowflake Method a chance. I have written some more in depth reviews of these craft books and more that I’ll be sharing in future blog posts.
Have you read any of these? What writing craft books have made a difference in your journey? Let me know in the comments! Want more writing resources? Subscribe to my newsletter for updates on my writing process and book recommendations!
