Sparkle Abbey’s Top Five Writing Books

by Sparkle Abbey

We are list people. By that we mean we like to make lists for just about everything. On any given day you could ask to see our daily to do lists, goal lists, grocery store lists, movies we want to see list, books we want to read list, conferences we want to attend list, places we want to go list, home improvement projects list, or a vacation/conference packing list (yes, that really does exist). We love lists! It’s possible some might call us list obsessed.

Creating lists makes us feel organized, helps us to remember things, and at times is a way to relieve stress and get focused. Crossing items off of our list is extremely satisfying. It’s a visual of what we’ve accomplished. We’ve been known to jot down an item we’ve already accomplished just to have the satisfaction of crossing it off.

One of our favorite lists is of writers’ reference books. There are so many amazing books available that a writer’s education can never be complete. We’re always learning ways to bring new insight and inspiration to our craft. Even the most seasoned writers have their favorite, go-to reference book.

There is an abundance of writing books, and we are all ears when a fellow writer starts talking about a new one they’ve just purchased. Could it help us find new inspiration?  Has someone explained “scene and sequel” in a new and interesting way? Is there a new plotting book that will help us develop a stronger and more intricate plot? There are books for beginning writers, intermediate writers, and books for the writer who’s been around the block a timer or two.

Here’s a list of five reference books that we highly recommend and use frequently.

•     Goal Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon

Full disclosure, this book was written by our publisher at Bell Bridge Books. But we read this book, breathed this book, and lived this book for years before we began working professionally with Deb. Goal Motivation and Conflict (or GMC) will teach you how to tell a clear story by using your characters goals, motivations, and conflicts.

•     Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain

This is a dense book and we don’t recommend reading it in one setting. He explains the fundamentals of a good story, action and reaction, and scene and sequel.

•      Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron

If you’re writing a mystery, this is a must have. Besides breaking down what a mystery is and its subgenres, you’ll learn how to create three dimensional characters, effective plots, and strategic revision. If you like worksheets, like we do, this book has them in spades.

•      Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

There are probably hundreds of books on self editing, but this book is the one that w have found the most useful. The book helps you identify what needs editing and revising, and covers everything from, show don’t tell, voice, dialogue, and point of view along with hands on exercises.

•     Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life By Anne Lamott

Anne gives advice and inspiration by sharing experiences from her own life. She will move you from laughter to tears  as she talks about getting past that crappy first draft, dealing with writer’s block, and finding inspiration in not only by what’s around you,  but by what’s inside of you.

We have so many more recommendations, but we thought we would just start with these five.

What about you? Are you a list maker? Or does just the thought of making a list increase your anxiety? What about reference books, do you have a favorite? If so please leave a comment and let us know which ones you recommend. If we don’t have it, we probably will add it to our list of books to buy next.

Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of mystery authors Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. They’ve chosen to use Sparkle Abbey as their pen name on this series because they liked the idea of combining the names of their two rescue pets – Sparkle (ML’s cat) and Abbey (Anita’s dog).

The authors co-write the best-selling Pampered Pets Mystery Series which focuses on the wacky world of precious pedigrees, pampered pooches, and secrets in posh Laguna Beach, California. The main characters and amateur sleuths are Texas cousins, Caro Lamont, a pet therapist, and Melinda Langston, a pet boutique owner. The two would join forces and work together if they were speaking, but they’re not.  Midwest Book Review calls the series “A sassy and fun mystery!”