Post: #1

What books have helped you guys with your writing?

I'll start.

Strunk and White.

On Writing Well (Zinsser)

Post: #2

Garner, A Dictionary of Modern American Usage.

It was the inspiration (or should I say excuse) of perhaps the best book review of a dictionary in history:
http://instruct.westvalley.edu/lafave/DF...tense.html

Post: #3

"On Writing" - Stephen King

"Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" - Anne Lamott

Both required reading. I've seen these two books recommended by successful authors about as much as I've seen Strunk and White recommended.

Post: #4

I say don't read any books on how to write, unless you want to write like others who are reading those same books.

The best advice is to READ good writing, then trying to incorporate things you like into your own writing. This is a process that takes several years.

Post: #5

(08-13-2013 06:56 AM)Roosh Wrote:  I say don't read any books on how to write, unless you want to write like others who are reading those same books.

The best advice is to READ good writing, then trying to incorporate things you like into your own writing. This is a process that takes several years.

I typically agree with you on this, Roosh - in fact, I've said much the same quite a few times on this forum.

The two books I mentioned above are actually the ONLY two books I'd recommend on writing. I've seen quite a few other authors voice the same sentiment about this two being the only ones to bother with, so I think they're worth a look.

Other than that, yes, reading and writing is the best way. And a lot of it. I don't believe in writing workshops either - complete mental masturbation.

Post: #6

Not really on writing per se but more on the marketing part. This book is pure gold though!

Writer for Hire: 101 Tips for Freelance Success - by Kelly James Enger

This lady is icecold in her business approach. Some great tips and one strategy she recommends is to hit up Non profit organizations to write some pro-bono stuff for them and build up a credible portfolio that way and then go for the sharks, aka big corporate clients with tons of money to spend. This is just what Im doing right now as Im sick of dealing with broke Internet marketers who try to lowball me.

Post: #7

(08-19-2013 02:00 PM)w00t Wrote:  Not really on writing per se but more on the marketing part. This book is pure gold though!

Writer for Hire: 101 Tips for Freelance Success - by Kelly James Enger

This lady is icecold in her business approach. Some great tips and one strategy she recommends is to hit up Non profit organizations to write some pro-bono stuff for them and build up a credible portfolio that way and then go for the sharks, aka big corporate clients with tons of money to spend. This is just what Im doing right now as Im sick of dealing with broke Internet marketers who try to lowball me.

Woot, I think I saw you mention something about one of Carol Tice's books about writing in another thread. Have you checked out her private forum?

It's a goldmine of info and support for what you're trying to achieve right now. $25 a month but it's a solid mastermind group. I'm planning to rejoin again myself.

Post: #8

You should read a lot of classic novels to get a feeling for it. After that you should pick up the theory and after that you should read a couple of classic novels again. Actually this thread inspired me to improve my english. Good thread.

Post: #9

(08-20-2013 09:49 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

(08-19-2013 02:00 PM)w00t Wrote:  Not really on writing per se but more on the marketing part. This book is pure gold though!

Writer for Hire: 101 Tips for Freelance Success - by Kelly James Enger

This lady is icecold in her business approach. Some great tips and one strategy she recommends is to hit up Non profit organizations to write some pro-bono stuff for them and build up a credible portfolio that way and then go for the sharks, aka big corporate clients with tons of money to spend. This is just what Im doing right now as Im sick of dealing with broke Internet marketers who try to lowball me.

Woot, I think I saw you mention something about one of Carol Tice's books about writing in another thread. Have you checked out her private forum?

It's a goldmine of info and support for what you're trying to achieve right now. $25 a month but it's a solid mastermind group. I'm planning to rejoin again myself.

You mean that freelance den? Im on the mailing list and got a message that they are taking people in again. I was actually considering dropping the 25$ it seems like a good investment. You have been a member there before?

Post: #10

(08-21-2013 10:02 AM)w00t Wrote:  

(08-20-2013 09:49 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

(08-19-2013 02:00 PM)w00t Wrote:  Not really on writing per se but more on the marketing part. This book is pure gold though!

Writer for Hire: 101 Tips for Freelance Success - by Kelly James Enger

This lady is icecold in her business approach. Some great tips and one strategy she recommends is to hit up Non profit organizations to write some pro-bono stuff for them and build up a credible portfolio that way and then go for the sharks, aka big corporate clients with tons of money to spend. This is just what Im doing right now as Im sick of dealing with broke Internet marketers who try to lowball me.

Woot, I think I saw you mention something about one of Carol Tice's books about writing in another thread. Have you checked out her private forum?

It's a goldmine of info and support for what you're trying to achieve right now. $25 a month but it's a solid mastermind group. I'm planning to rejoin again myself.

You mean that freelance den? Im on the mailing list and got a message that they are taking people in again. I was actually considering dropping the 25$ it seems like a good investment. You have been a member there before?

Yeah, I was a member. I definitely found it worth it. She interviews experts on different tactics every week - plenty of existing training videos to keep you busy learning just about every aspect of the biz. I've been getting more serious again lately so planning to get back in there within the next week or two.

Post: #11

Yeah I signed up and it seems an awesome resource I already got a lot of ideas and some questions answered that I was thinking about, just from reading the forums.
I also want to get more serious about my writing, I have a decent steady gig going on but it might run out after October so I want to get my income up and get some clients on board. Send me a pm here when you join the den so we can team up!

Post: #12

One canonical example that immediately comes to mind:

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

Post: #13

(08-21-2013 11:30 AM)w00t Wrote:  Yeah I signed up and it seems an awesome resource I already got a lot of ideas and some questions answered that I was thinking about, just from reading the forums.
I also want to get more serious about my writing, I have a decent steady gig going on but it might run out after October so I want to get my income up and get some clients on board. Send me a pm here when you join the den so we can team up!

I've just tried to sign but have been told there is a waiting list, so have joined that. Did the same happen with you?

Post: #14

(08-25-2013 07:22 AM)Teedub Wrote:  

(08-21-2013 11:30 AM)w00t Wrote:  Yeah I signed up and it seems an awesome resource I already got a lot of ideas and some questions answered that I was thinking about, just from reading the forums.
I also want to get more serious about my writing, I have a decent steady gig going on but it might run out after October so I want to get my income up and get some clients on board. Send me a pm here when you join the den so we can team up!

I've just tried to sign but have been told there is a waiting list, so have joined that. Did the same happen with you?

Yes I got a link to a sign-up page as I was on the mailing list. But it seems like its closed again at least the link doesnt work anymore. If you cant get in I recommend her blog and the book I mentioned in this thread.

Post: #15

(08-25-2013 08:02 AM)w00t Wrote:  

(08-25-2013 07:22 AM)Teedub Wrote:  

(08-21-2013 11:30 AM)w00t Wrote:  Yeah I signed up and it seems an awesome resource I already got a lot of ideas and some questions answered that I was thinking about, just from reading the forums.
I also want to get more serious about my writing, I have a decent steady gig going on but it might run out after October so I want to get my income up and get some clients on board. Send me a pm here when you join the den so we can team up!

I've just tried to sign but have been told there is a waiting list, so have joined that. Did the same happen with you?

Yes I got a link to a sign-up page as I was on the mailing list. But it seems like its closed again at least the link doesnt work anymore. If you cant get in I recommend her blog and the book I mentioned in this thread.

The Well-fed Writer is also a must-read.

Post: #16

There is a good thread on this subject here:

/thread-22850.html

Just wanted to keep a link to that thread in this section of the forum.