5 Books to Read If You Want to Be a Better Writer
Whether you’re launching a brand or trying to grow your existing business, at some point, you’ll have to do some writing. Written content is one of the most important parts of your marketing strategy. But it can feel overwhelming if you aren’t a natural-born writer. Don’t fear! With the right tools and resources, anyone can become a better writer in no time. Whether you’re writing a sales page, social media post, or marketing email, here are five books to read if you want to be a better writer.
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For a refresher on sentence structure and grammar:
The Elements of Style – William Strunk J.R.
Favorite Quote: “A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.”
Learn more about The Elements of Style here.
For brushing up on your punctuation:
Eat, Shoots & Leaves – Lynne Truss
Favorite Quote: “The reason it’s worth standing up for punctuation is not that it’s an arbitrary system of notation known only to an over-sensitive elite who have attacks of the vapours when they see it misapplied. The reason to stand up for punctuation is that without it there is no reliable way of communicating meaning.”
Learn more about Eats, Shoots & Leaves here.
For resisting creative blocks:
The War of Art – Stephen Pressfield
Favorite Quote: “Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”
Learn more about The War of Art here.
For both writers and self-proclaimed “non-writers” alike:
Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg
Favorite Quote: “There is freedom in being a writer and writing. It is fulfilling your function. I used to think freedom meant doing whatever you want. It means knowing who you are, what you are supposed to be doing on this earth, and then simply doing it.”
Learn more about Writing Down the Bones here.
For the memoir enthusiast:
Favorite Quote: “Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping along with, the absurdity of life, instead of being squashed by it over and over again. It’s like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea. You can’t stop the raging storm, but singing can change the hearts and spirits of the people who are together on that ship.”
Learn more about Bird by Bird here.
If you’re ready to hone your writing skills and grow your brand or business, these books are a great place to start! Have you read any of the books in this list? Are there any other resources on writing that you would add? Let us know in the comments!