This month: 38 Essential Writing Books
In my office, I have my computer table, an oak roll top desk close enough my left elbow bumps it when I really get going on the keyboard
…and behind me, about two feet away, a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf of reference books.
Those books are constantly in motion. I pull them out by piles, stack them on my desk
…and riffle through them to augment particular parts of my stories. Sometimes, I’m looking for facts on nature, animals, buildings. Other times, I’m working through some prickly syntax. Either way, there are those books I can’t write without.
Every writer I know has a bookshelf like this, full of books to inspire the writing process. A reader asked what books I thought most important, so I pulled out my short list which is when I realized I’d added some in the last few years. My must-have writing books have blossomed to 38, some new additions, some deleted from earlier lists. The links (where available) will take you to my review):
- Anatomy of Motive by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker
- Bill Bryson’s Dictionary for Writers and Editors, by Bill Bryson
- Blockbuster Plots: Pure and Simple, by Martha Alderson
- Breakout Novelist by Donald Maass
- Careful Writer: A Modern Guide to English Usage, by Theodore Bernstein
- Creating Character Emotions: Writing compelling fresh approaches that express your characters’ true feelings, by Ann Hood
- Elements of Style by EB White
- First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile, by Noah Lukeman
- Garner’s Modern American Usage, by Bryon Garner
- How to Write A D*** Good Novel, by James Frey
- Humor That Works by Andrew Tavin
- Lexicon, by William F. Buckley Jr.
- Marketing for Writers Who Hate Marketing: The No-Stress Way to Sell Books Without Losing Your Mind by James Scott Bell
- Marshall Plan for Novel Writing: A 16-step program guaranteed to take you from idea to completed manuscript, by Evan Marshall
- National Audubon Society Field Guide
- New York Times Practical Guide to Practically Everything
- New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge
- Novel Writer’s Toolkit: A guide to writing great fiction and getting it published, by Bob Mayer
- Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus
- Oxford Book of Aphorisms, by John Gross
- Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology
- Oxford Dictionary of Difficult Words
- Penguin Dictionary of Epigrams, by MJ Cohen
- Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence, by David Keirsey
- Roget’s 21st Century Thesaurus
- The Rural Setting Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne
- Synonym Finder, by J. I. Rodale
- We are not Alone: The Writer’s Guide to Social Media by Kristen Lamb
- Write on by Stephen King
- Writer’s Coach: An Editor’s Guide to Words That Work, by Jack Hart
- Writer’s Guide to Character Traits, by Linda Edelstein
- The Writer’s Lexicon Volume I and II by Kathy Steinemann
- Writing from A to Z, by Sally Ebest
- Writing the Blockbuster Novel, by Albert Zuckerman
- Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, by Janet Burroway
- Writing the Breakout Novel: Insider advice for taking your fiction to the next level, by Donald Maass
- Writing the Novel from Plot to Print, by Lawrence Block
What’s on your list.
#authortoolboxbloghop #amwriting
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Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the Man vs. Nature saga. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Against All Odds, Summer 2020.
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I have quite a few of these. They’re great for learning the craft. The only one I reference on a regular basis is one on grammar.
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I agree. I purchased most of them for inspiration. I definitely learned a lot form them but they also got my engines revving!
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It’s a great list, Jacqui! I need to check out some from your list. I have collected quite a few over the years starting from taking the children’s writing course, then writing poetry, and writing in general. I also belong to a couple online writing groups with resources. Like Diana Peach, I like to read something precise to the point with examples. One that I refer to quite often is Stein on Writing by Sol Stein. I also bookmarked several websites for go-to resources.
Thank you for sharing, Jacqui.
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Stein–that is a good one. I have it on Kindle, forgot to look there! Thanks, Miriam.
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You’re welcome, Jacqui! That book is kind of in a nutshell.
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Great list of books.
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Thanks, Juneta. And I’ve read most of them!
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This is an amazing list, Jacqui. Thank you for sharing these. Love your bookshelf! I need to get some of these. I tend to google facts but it would be better to have some of these on hand.
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It took me about 40 years to get the bookshelves and no time to fill them. Love how-to books.
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I have a few of these books. I need to check out some of the others. I find Internet Archive and the Library of Congress website invaluable go-to resources for my writing projects.
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I love the Library of Congress. So much I got my library card there! What an experience it is to use that library. Thanks for visiting, Liz.
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I also have close at hand a bunch of these titles. I love that you count the National Audubon Society Field Guide as essential. I have my dad’s Western Field Guide to Birds, well loved.
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It’s horrible to get the animals wrong from one continent to the other. I have a bunch of those types of books.
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With me, it’s usually plants and trees. Sometimes birds.
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Wow, what a terrific list! Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks! I’ve read most of them and others have dog-eared sections. Nice collection for me.
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woooww, you’re indeed a wide reader! Do you read constantly? like with a target number of books per month or week? 🙂 i’m curious because I consider myself a slow reader. :))
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Very interesting list of books, Jacqui. I haven’t read any books about writing at all. I get my inspiration for certain scenes from great books I have read. I often read bits to see how the author tackled a specific scene.
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I’m amazed you read no writing books. I do agree–it can be done naturally, the particular voice and storytelling ability. If only I had that!
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Well, I don’t claim to be a fantastic writer, Jacqui, although I work hard at it. I do use a developmental editor, who is wonderful I must add, who gives me a lot of great guidance. This works better for me than writing books. I also read a massive amount, but not as much as you.
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Terrific list of books! There are some very important books on there for writers and some that have helped me massively with my writing. I’m not sure if you’d be interested in adding my own book on there – A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook? I’d be happy to send you a free copy in exchange for a review!
I love your writing desk and bookshelves too. A fine workspace!
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Thanks, Richie. Your book looks great and has some excellent reviews. I don’t write fantasy but I’d love to take a guest post from you on fantasy writing. I don’t know if that appeals to you but if it does, let me know at my email.
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Writing guides are just as important as my laptop! I have a treasured few that I reach for over and over–some are in your list as well!–I will reach for a book on writing before Google in many cases. Don’t know why exactly. Just feels like the right thing to do.
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And you write them, Kate! I loved the one I read. Thanks for visiting.
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Great list! I’ve added them all to my Goodreads TBR for when I need more help than my current shelf can provide 🙂
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I do that, too–keep track of books that efriends recommend. That time will come I just can’t get a climax right and then I have resources.
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Thank you for sharing your library lovelies with us. I have read some of those. I have bought some of those. My favorite is still Writing Irresistible KidLit.
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Oooh I’ll have to check on that one, Erika. I’ve never heard of it.
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That is quite a list. I’m also no stranger to the thesaurus series. I find lists of archetypes possibilities helpful as a springboard for my own ideas. Right now I’m working my way through A Writer’s Guide to Characterization, which is very Jungian.
Past books on writing include The Anatomy of a Story, Creating Character Arcs, Scene & Structure, Save the Cat, Story Engineering, Hooked, Inciting Incident, Midpoint Magic, Trough of Hell, Story Climax, Story Stakes, and Story Structure Archetypes.
I find it helpful to type up notes while I read a book on writing, and then reorganize and blend them (since many overlap). This helps me come to more of a concensus about what I agree with, and makes it easier for me to find something specific via the Commmand/Control F “find” function, though once in a while I still refer back to the source, get confirmation/clarification on what the author said, in contrast with what I wrote in my own words.
I’ll definitely be checking out some of these titles.
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You have a wonderful list. I’ve heard of Save the Cat–am considering it–and am inspired by Inciting Incident. I need to do that better.
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Mmm. In my mind, Save the Cat is one of a couple that approach it from a much more “this is business” style, which is fine, and definitely had some insights.
What I found really helpful was reading books that really zeroed in on a specific subtopic of storytelling (like Inciting Incident or Act 2/The Middle). I’m also perusing your list. I feel like the text on body language could be particularly useful, and one area I may not have as much coverage on. I feel like I have emotions themselves well covered, but subtle ways that characters can communicate those emotions, that may be a weak area for me (for now).
Thanks again for sharing your insights.
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That’s one heck of a long list. I saw a few titles I had as well. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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Some/most of them are popular titles but I threw in a few zingers, just to make sure everyone was awake.
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Fantastic resource! Bookmarking for later…
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Thanks, Matt! Enjoy.
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Your desk is gorgeous, I’m a little bit jealous 😀
Great list, some of these will be very handy as I work on my latest university assignment 🙂
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I wish I could take my laptop and write anywhere but I can’t. So this wonderful desk is where it happens. It does feel good.
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Great list, Jacqui! I have a number of these. That marketing one is missing in my collection, though 🙂 I also have (of course haven’t read yet) Chuck Wendig’s Damn Fine Story. Love Donald Maass’ books.
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The Scott Bell one–it’s a winner. There was a lot I knew but more that I learned. Agreed about Donald Maass–every book I’ve read of his is excellent.
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I clicked on some of these. Can’t wait to check them out
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I haven’t reviewed all of them so you might have to search a few. I can’t bring myself to review Rodale’s Synonym Finder!
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I’m a sucker for reference books. I want those thesauruses? thesauri? Hmmm…Thanks Jacqui!
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Yep, I have about five, and the lexicon’s–those are my other guilty pleasure.
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Excellent list Jacqui. I have quite a few of those, among others on my bookshelve(s) 5. And let me tell you, your shelves are in a much more presentable state than mine, lol. Truly a scary sight, but I know where everything is – organized chaos. 🙂 Also, nice to see Kathy’s Lexicon books on the list. I’m soon going to be sinking my eyes into the upcoming book 3. 🙂
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Well, I carefully took that picture to hide the bottom shelves. Those are the beyond-messy ones!
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Lol, been there! 🙂
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Great selection and a few new tips, thank you.
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I publish this every five years or so. While I have a lot of new ones each time, the old standbys always serve me well.
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An impressive collection! Happy to say that some of the titles are familiar to me, but many aren’t. More to add to my wish list.
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A big collection. I do sometimes just glance through them, enjoy the wisdom of those who excel at my passion.
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I love the collection of Thesaurus collections Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi have put together, I have used their emotional Thesaurus for reference, and these books really help to get your brain into the creative zone for capturing show don’t tell.
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Isn’t that the truth! It’s easy to forget what signals ‘distress’ or ‘joy’ to the outside world.
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Like you, I’ve got writing/resource books for every occasion on my shelf and lots of bookmarks on my computer desktop (most of which are on my Pinterest Board “Writing/Blogging”… Added this one there too! 🙂 xo
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I like the idea of a Pinterest board. I’m on Pinterest but barely use it. Thanks for the thought.
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I find Pinterest a great place to save things–then it’s easy to find them. I get a lot of shares from a variety of my boards, so it’s great to know they are helpful to readers. 🙂 Have a great week, Jacqui!
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What a fantastic list!
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I hope it’s a little different than others. I have never before seen a book about writing humorously on a list!
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Fantastic List! Thank you for sharing. I admire your desk. Mine is so bulky and overwhelming that I write on my laptop in bed, but It’s not as productive.
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This rolltop has so many little drawers and doors, I can organize to my hearts content!
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That looks like a fine list! No book case like that for me, in a 19ft camper. 🙂 I used to love books, especially non-fiction ones, but eventually had to get rid of almost all of them, being a nomad. I still have a couple of books about memoir writing and non-fiction proposals and a couple of travel guidebooks with me. That’s it.
That desk looks very familiar to the one I’m working at, here at my in-laws. Very cool!
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But you do have a plethora of libraries wherever you roam. There should be a universal library card–check a book out and return it anywhere. Sigh.
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Okay, confession. I skipped the list – I have 2 newish craft books I still have to read, but I know there would be more I’d want if I read your list…not until I’ve read the two I have!
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Oh believe me, I understand. I avoid most how-to books except for maybe those dealing with online marketing.
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27 is one of my faves.
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Bingo!
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I have a deck just like that, but I recently took the top off. Great list of books, Jacqui:)
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Thanks, Denise!
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I love your roll top desk, Jacqui! Thanks for the book recommendations, I have a few of them on my Kindle 🙂
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I do wish I’d keep it cleaner!
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I’m so happy to see your list, Jacqui! I’m looking up a few of them for purchase. I have a bunch in piles on and around my desk, too. lol
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Check these out. Some are particular to my needs but others are more general–like the Lexicons and the Thesauruses.
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I hit Amazon hard with your list. LOL 😀 Looking forward to improving my writing.
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Such a long list Jacqui! Writing seems to be a chore with so many…I would prefer a few. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
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Most of them have a niche–they’re not general writing books. For example, who besides me and a few others needs to think like a mathematician!
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What a list! Some great resources here, Jacqui. I enjoy books on writing but I need them to be short, to the point, and full of examples (which is how I learn). One that I’ve been using a lot lately is The Emotional Thesaurus which translated emotions into body-language. I can get rid of some on my telling with showing. 🙂
I hope you’re making great progress on Xhosa’s next book. I’m looking forward to it!
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I do have shorter lists but this one is more specific to needs. Emotional Thesaurus–what a find that is. It makes it easy to show what’s happening inside a character.
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And if too many characters are gasping or shaking their heads or clenching their fists, I can easily find other ways to show shock, disbelief, or fury. 🙂 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your suggestions. I’ve read some of them. If I ever get near to being published, I’ll have to check out the one by James Scott Bell on marketing without losing your mind. I’d be in serious danger of losing it.
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Bell has a wonderful sense of humor and approachable manner that makes you believe you could actually do it!
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I’m bookmarking this for…reference. 🙂
I also love The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. It comes in very handy when I’m stuck trying to come up with nonverbal cues that aren’t overused.
Great list! Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks! Zuckerman’s is also pretty cool. It’s not for the ordinary writer, just those who want to write a blockbuster!
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I love your roll top desk. I remember my grandfather had one, and as a kid I was enamored of it. I still love them.
You have an impressive list of reference books. Like you, mine is a mix-up of books related to writing and books related to topics I write about.
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That’s where I got the idea–from my grandpa. It does everything I need from a desk.
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Quite a list. Over the last few years I’ve seen Stephen King’s book mentioned in various articles. I doubt if he expected it to become a classic, but apparently it has.
Neil
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Yeah it has. It’s up there among writers I talk to with Noah’s “The First Five Pages”. I don’t read horror but that Stephen King can sure write!
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I got rid of most of my reference books last year. I found out most of what I need as helps in writing can be found on the internet for free.
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I do use the internet a lot but there are some things that are truly a challenge to find there. You really have to be a research specialist so I keep a small collection of reference books–like this. Well, about four shelves of them.
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The only reference book I use that has physical pages is my style book. Of course, nonfiction doesn’t seem to require as many reference sources either.
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That’s quite a variety. Save the Cat would be on my list.
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Never heard of that one, Alex. I’m off to check it out.
OK–on screenwriting? By Blake Snyder? It looks pretty good.
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I have some of the same books as you. And now I have a few more I want to get! Thanks, Jacqui.
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Sometimes, I just browse through them, waiting for inspiration!
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Hi Jacqui – excellent list for us … I only have Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable nearby … other reference books I’ll need to find – they’re nearby so not difficult to access. Lots of other books are out and about! Take care – and love the desk – that would be my letter writing desk … otherwise I need a computer desk and table next to it! I spread myself. Take care – Hilary
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I haven’t heard of Brewer’s but I love the name. I’ll check it out!
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Yikes, no wonder I can’t write!!😏
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These are all crutches, GP. If writing came naturally, I wouldn’t need any of these!
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Wow. That’s a lot of book recommendations, Jacqui. You are well read.
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Too many? Maybe I’ll do a short list for a future post–just my favorites.
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Never!
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Your desk is gorgeous, Jacqui! I have an entire book case packed with craft books. My most used are all of the thesaurus book by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. They are a great tool.
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Those are well-thumbed in my house also. There are those that truly resonate.
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I’m really excited for the Occupation Thesaurus that will release soon.
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Those are great suggestions. I’ve used The Elements of Style for many, many years.
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That one never gets old, does it? The elements of writing are still the same ol’ basics.
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