10 books that will rapidly improve your writing, help you make more impact, and motivate you to create

Alex Mathers

Jul 09, 2024

Mastery Den, Tuesday Edition, 5-min read.

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Writing can be a detached process that sucks the life out of us if we don’t continually find ways to re-energise ourselves.

I’ve always said that good writers make room for consumption. When I read a good book or watch an inspiring film, I often feel pumped to write something of my own.

Reading books by other writers, particularly those on the craft of writing specifically, revives me.

It helps me feel like I’m not alone and that others have found a way to succeed in sitting in a room alone to type their ideas into words.

Here are some books worth your time that inspired me to continue.

“On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King

In this autobiographical piece by King, he shares inspiring — and some harrowing — stories from his journey.

He reminds us to treat writing like a job and how writing isn’t always easy.

I finished this book inspired to persevere through challenges and self-doubt.

Memorable quote: “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”

“Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott

Bird’s humourous collection of stories and encouraging essays will put a pep in your step.

I loved her advice on embracing the ‘shitty first draft,’ which gave me permission years ago not to expect what I first put down in words to be perfect.

Memorable quote: “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.”

“Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within” by Natalie Goldberg

Goldberg gets deep into the psychological and even spiritual elements of writing, and you’ll come away from this read calmer.

I love the idea expanded in this book about how writing leads to self-discovery — something many writers forget is possible.

Memorable quote: “Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.”

“The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles” by Steven Pressfield

Essential reading for anyone who’s ever dealt with creative block, Pressfield guides us through this book and shows us we’re not weird for struggling with resistance.

This book helped me lean into writing even if it wasn’t always comfortable.

Memorable quote: “The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it. Resistance is experienced as fear; the degree of fear equates to the strength of Resistance. Therefore, the more fear we feel about a specific enterprise, the more certain we can be that that enterprise is important to us and to the growth of our soul.”

“On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction” by William Zinsser

Zinsser’s guide is less a memoir and more an engaging manual on good non-fiction writing.

I love how straight he talks — he practices what he preaches.

Clarifying our understanding of what makes for impactful writing is encouraging. This book reminds me of the beauty of the craft and jolts me into wanting to further my development in it.

Memorable quote: “Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills, and meaningless jargon.”

“The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity” by Julia Cameron

Julia encourages us to develop a daily writing practice called ‘Morning Pages’ to help us express ourselves, build momentum and nurture our creativity.

This is a must-read if you’d like to explore how connected you can be to your creative self.

Memorable quote: “You do not need to know precisely what the creative work will be. You need to trust the darkness. You need to learn to trust the process. You need to give up your control.”

“Zen in the Art of Writing” by Ray Bradbury

One of my favourites on the craft of writing, Bradbury shares a collection of essays on writing, creativity, and the author’s own experiences and insights into the writing process.

Memorable quote: “Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall.”

“Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert

Although not strictly a book on writing or for writers per sé, Big Magic reminds us of the magic in creating anything.

She takes the banal and the tedious out of the creative process and shows us that it can indeed be an experience.

Her chapter on fear alone is worth the price of the book.

Memorable quote: “You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failures.”

“Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer” by Roy Peter Clark

Often, one of the best ways to stay inspired is to learn a little more about writing well—even if it’s just taking in a small tip and using it in your next piece.

Peter Clark’s compendium of writing ideas is a great source for little things you can do that make a big impact. He uses helpful illustrative examples and exercises for practice throughout.

Memorable quote:
Tool 11: Get the name of the dog.
This idea emphasises the importance of specificity and detail in writing. By including specific details, such as the name of a dog, writers can make their work more vivid and engaging.

“The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century” by Steven Pinker

Pinker offers practical advice on writing clearly and engagingly, backed by linguistics and cognitive science insights.

I like how he goes into detail with his comparisons of what makes for great writing versus bad writing.

Memorable quote: “The curse of knowledge: when we know something, we find it hard to imagine what it was like not to know it. As a result, we become lousy communicators.”

Thanks for reading.

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