A “Choose Your Own Adventure” Guide to the Best Books on Writing

My Favorite Books Related to Writing and Why

I could simply give you a list of my favorite books on writing, but where’s the fun in that?!

I thought it would be more fun to guide you to the one that is most likely to help you based on what you’re looking for.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to what is likely the first ever “Choose Your Own Adventure” guide to the best books on writing!

Ready? Here we go.

Pick the statement below that best suits you right now.

  1. I want a great book on writing that has a dash of humor.
  2. I’d love to read a riveting memoir of a writer that also includes some writing tips.
  3. How about more of a Zen approach to the beauty and power of writing?
  4. Marketing! Quick, Chad, give me a book how to market my book.
  5. I want a meaty book on writing with lots of examples of different techniques.
  6. Everybody’s talking about platform. What would you recommend?
  7. I need to recharge. How can I enhance my creativity?
  8. Let’s get back to basics. How about a simple book on good grammar?

If you picked statement 1, I recommend Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. Already read it? Another strong book in this category is William Zinsser’s On Writing Well. A third is Andrew T. Le Peau’s Write Better. 

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction Write Better: A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality - By: Andrew T. LePeau

If you picked statement 2, check out Stephen King’s On Writing. Already read it? Try Annie Dillard’s The Writing Life. 

On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft The Writing Life

If you picked 3, you must read Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones. Already read it? Try The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within The Artist's Way: 25th Anniversary Edition

If you picked 4, I strongly recommend Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller. Already read it? Check out Tim Grahl’s Your First 1000 Copies.

Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen Your First 1000 Copies: The Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Your Book

If you picked statement 5, look no further than Stein on Writing by Sol Stein. (I don’t have a backup for this one. Any suggestions?)

Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

If you resonate most with statement 6, check out either Platform by Michael Hyatt or Your First 1,000 Copies by Tim Grahl.

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World Your First 1000 Copies: The Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Your Book

Statement 7 is resonating with you? Go find yourself a copy of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. Another wonderful book on creativity is The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry. Austin Kleon is the third terrific voice in this space.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment's Notice

And if statement 8 is your cup of tea, check out Elements of Style by William Strunk and E. B. White. For a more entertaining approach, try Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss.

The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation

A “Choose Your Own Adventure” Guide to the Best Books on Writing @chadrallen #amreading #writing

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Question: Which statement did you choose? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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Categories: Creativity, Goals, Inspirations, Life, Platform, Publishing, Uncategorized, Writing

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14 thoughts on “A “Choose Your Own Adventure” Guide to the Best Books on Writing”

  1. I can’t wait to read some of these! I chose #5 as I have a book publishing this week. Definitely going to be reading Your First 1000 Copies!

    • Hey congratulations on the new release! You’ll find Grahl very helpful, I think! Thank you for commenting!

  2. I chose #3 and have a book to add that fits into that category, I think. It was sent to me by a friend and it’s a bit unique in its approach– Several Short Sentences about Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg. It is literally several short sentences, very clever and helpful advice, written in a somewhat freehand poetic style. I’m loving it and getting a lot out of it!

  3. My categories were 1, 4, and 6. Here’s another suggestion under #8: Get a Grip on Your Grammar by Kris Spisak. I picked this one up this week. It’s a fun read.

  4. That was fun. And it felt good I had read a few of those listed. I was looking at the books under 1, 2, and 6. Funny thing is, Stephen King’s book was just loaded onto my audio account. So I guess I am set to start that. And a book from 6 is sitting on my desk, unread. So I guess I better get busy. (I adore Bird by Bird. I always recommend that book.)

  5. Chad, thanks for these tips! I’ve read about half of these. Some of the others that you recommended, I had not even heard of before now. The “choose your own adventure” approach is fun! There are a few on this list that I now plan to take a look at. 🙂

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