American novelist Annie Proulx, the author of Brokeback Mountain, once said: “Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.”

Luckily for you, I’ve read hundreds of books over the past few years, some of which have had a profound impact on my life and my ability to write.

So, if you’re looking for writing advice or some excellent book recommendations, read on discover some of my favourite writing lessons I’ve learnt from my favourite books.

1. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Lamott’s witty combination of memoir and writing craft book sheds a hilarious and brutally honest light on the art of writing, and what it is to be a writer.

But the lesson that truly stuck with me after finishing this book is the titular advice of persisting no matter what; going through life “bird by bird”, or, in other words, writing one word after another until you’re finished.

Lamott says, “All good writing starts with terrible first efforts”, and it’s important to remember this every time you start a new piece of writing. First drafts are supposed to be messy, but it is easier to edit bad writing instead of a blank page.

Whenever I write an article – even this one – the first draft is often a few pages of word vomit containing every possible thing I might want to include. But once you have built up the foundations, writing a coherent and compelling article during the second draft becomes a much easier task.

2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows and its stunning sequel, Crooked Kingdom, follow six outcasts as they must come together to break into a fortress that has never been breached before.

The complicated character dynamics and elegantly executed and fantastical heist is what keeps bringing me back to reread this duology every year. And on every reread, I’m struck by how much loving research and planning Bardugo must have put into the complex plot.

In the acknowledgments, she even mentions several books she read to immerse her in the world and understand the mechanics of how these complicated criminal schemes unfold, including Criminal Slang: The Vernacular of the Underworld Lingo by Vincent J. Monteleone and Stealing Rembrandts: The Untold Stories of Notorious Art Heists by Anthony M. Amore Tom Mashberg.

Research is a vital part of writing, and the most important part is to enjoy it. Choosing to write about topics you love or find interesting shines through in your writing, and the reader is much more likely to be engaged by an article in which they can see the passion you have for a subject shining through.

3. Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is an American science fiction author who has gained popularity for the incredible speed at which he writes.

In fact, Tress of the Emerald Sea – a standalone adventure about a girl sailing across dangerous, spore-filled oceans to rescue her love from an evil sorceress – was one of four secret novels he revealed he’d written in between his other projects.

While no article should ever come close to the word count of Sanderson’s 1,000-page novels, his dedication to writing consistently and prolifically has allowed readers to explore every corner of the complex and intriguing fantasy Cosmere universe.

Plus, as an added bonus, he reportedly made $55 million in 2022.

Writing, like any other skill, requires practice. If you write even half as consistently and prolifically as Sanderson, you’ll start to understand the craft more and therefore be able to write more interesting and effective articles.

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is one of the most popular young adult novels of recent years, with four books and five films currently released and another book and film adaptation on the way next year.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Suzanne Collins’ writing is her rich and fascinating worldbuilding. Set in a future America where 24 children are thrown into an arena to fight to the death as live entertainment for the rich every year, Collins uses every detail of the characters’ lives and the society around them to support the overall themes and messages of the book.

Attention to detail is one of the most important aspects to pay attention to while writing.

Much like Collins uses every word to help her readers imagine how America of today might slip into such a dystopian future, you should also ensure that every sentence in your writing enriches your point or the argument you are trying to make.

5. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

This Is How You Lose the Time War is a collaboration between two fantastic science fiction authors which follows two agents fighting on opposite sides of a war spanning time and space.

The novel is told in a unique epistolary format, through letters written from one character to the other. El-Mohtar and Gladstone wrote these letters in response to each other without knowing what the other would write, which resulted in a fantastic story of two enemies slowly growing to respect – and then love – each other.

Collaboration is such an important aspect of writing. Although it can seem like a solitary craft when it is just you and your laptop (or notebook if you’re feeling old-fashioned), sharing ideas or offering to proofread someone else’s work can benefit both of you.

As they say, two heads are better than one, and sharing your words or ideas with someone else can help you learn, improve your craft, and come up with innovative ideas to share with the world.

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If you’re struggling for inspiration or you’d like help with great content for your business, our team of experienced, talented writers can help.

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