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I know what you’re thinking: “You’re giving me homework??” Yes and no. We’re giving you groundings. As an author, you have to have more than talent and a beautiful way with words—you have to have discipline and understand craft. The best way to harness those skills is practice. The second best is to take advice, especially advice from writers who have been successful with their methods.

Don’t worry; we’re not trying to bore you here. Mixed into these essential books on writing are hilarious stories, heartfelt moments, and successes that might even make you cheer out loud. These books will help you become a better writer, and they’ll entertain you along the way. And, even more importantly, they’ll remind you why you’re a writer in the first place.

So let’s start with the basics. The first book that you absolutely must read:

1) The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

Okay, this one might feel like homework, but if you haven’t already read it, believe us when we say that you need to. Not only will your editor endlessly thank you, but your writing will flow much more easily when you have a better understanding of what you should be avoiding and what you should be focusing on. This is the basics of writing—the holy book of our religion, if you will—and there isn’t a well-known author out there who wouldn’t recommend reading it. Plus it’s only around one hundred pages (depending on the edition), so you really don’t have an excuse not to read it.

Bonus! Along these same lines is On Writing Well by William Zinsser. This guide is truly a classic and has been heralded by many authors as well as writing professors. It focuses on nonfiction, but its writing tips easily span genres.

2) On Writing by Stephen King

This is the next must-read. It is laced with tips for writing and how to have an effective writing lifestyle, which is invaluable in itself, but it’s also part memoir. If you don’t know anything about King’s life, you’re missing out. It’s fascinating. This book doesn’t have to be praised by countless readers and writers alike (which, of course, it is) to be credible—just look at King’s career. That’s all the credential he needs.

3) The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

If you know of Annie Dillard at all (which you should), you know of her beautiful prose. This book is written with that same prose. It reads like any of her stories while still offering a genuine look into what it is to be a writer. There are none of the tips you’ve heard time and time again; instead, she honestly details her relationship with writing and lays out unavoidable realities of being a writer. It’s a timeless piece that captures the writing essence, not just the craft or style.

4) Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

This is the most entertaining book on the list. Lamott’s humor and wit do not disappoint, nor does her flawless ability to insert some pretty deep insight into that humor and wit. You don’t have to relate to the trials of her life—addiction, single parenting, terminal diagnoses—to appreciate her journey in becoming the globally known author that she is today. If anything, it should inspire you: if she could manage to keep writing with all of that going on, so can you.

5) The Writing Life: Writers On How They Think and Work by Marie Arana

For over ten years, Arana was editor in chief of the book review section of The Washington Post and headed the column Book World. This set the stage perfectly for her book, which is a collaboration from over fifty authors, from both the fiction and nonfiction worlds. This book highlights not only the advice of these authors but also their annoyances, their fears, their triumphs and failures, and the most demanding and rewarding aspects of their careers. Each writer is also profiled, which is fascinating in its own right.

6) Zen in the Art of Fiction by Ray Bradbury

If anyone can write a collection of essays on fostering creativity, it’s master storyteller Ray Bradbury. The title is a bit misleading (Bradbury says he was going for a bit of shock value here), but the essays really do encompass how to nurture creativity and blend your writing life into your normal life. And, of course, he does it all in his signature style, keeping readers entertained the whole way through. The best part of this collection, though, is that the unifying theme of it is love of writing.

Hopefully with each new number you went to Amazon and ordered the book immediately, but if not, we understand—you’re on your way to the library instead. Because you realize the importance of not only having a love for writing but also a dedication to bettering yourself as a writer. And what better way to do so than with our favorite pastime: sitting down with a good book?

Any further thoughts, readers? Any writing books you’d like to add to the list?

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