Can one learn to write? In France, this idea is met with skepticism. Yet, in English-speaking countries, university programs in ” Creative Writing ” are numerous and highly regarded. Long shunned, the idea of creative writing training is beginning to gain traction in France with the emergence, in recent years, of Master’s degrees in literary writing. The number of alumni who have achieved considerable literary success suggests that these programs offer genuine instruction in improving one’s style and writing. Among them are authors published by renowned publishing houses such as Anne Pauly ( Avant que j’oublie , Verdier, Prix du Livre Inter), Mathilde Forget ( À la demande d’un tiers, Grasset), Samuel Poisson-Quinton ( Un père à la plancha, Gallimard), Lucie Rico ( Le Chant du poulet sous vide , POL), and the list goes on…
Influenced by a romantic conception of creation, which elevates the author to the status of a genius demiurge awaiting inspiration, pen in hand, we sometimes come to believe that great writers possess innate talent. It’s a rather charming illusion that the art world likes to perpetuate. If they’re honest with you, however, many contemporary writers will admit that their writing and their success rely on techniques they’ve learned over time, through reading, writing, and above all, through trial and error.
Today, we’re sharing 10 book recommendations that can help or guide you through your writing process. We’ve aimed for a variety of styles: some are accounts from writers, others offer writing methods, and many fall somewhere in between. Of course, reading this entire list won’t transform you into Tolstoy or Hugo. However, there’s a good chance you’ll find the boost you need to launch that new project you’ve been dreaming about, find the solution to that plot twist you’ve been struggling with, and above all, discover that great writers started out just like you.
These readings complement the method; they do not replace it. The complete process can be found in our guide to writing a book .
For first-time novelists:
Writing your first novel in 10 minutes a day, by David Meulemans
In this deliberately provocatively titled manual, David Meulemans offers a wealth of advice to aspiring novelists. Drawing on twenty years of experience leading writing workshops, as well as his work as an editor at Aux Forges de Vulcain , he highlights and explains the common flaws found in first novel manuscripts. This book is a compendium of tips for overcoming the difficulties of writing: how to conquer writer’s block ? How to proofread effectively ? How to make writing a regular activity? By suggesting that the idea of enthusiasm be replaced by that of inspiration, the author emphasizes one point above all: the (contagious) joy that writing brings!
Writing a novel, Marie Vareille , self-published
The author of nine books for adults and young adults, including the bestseller * The Dream Life of Orphan Socks* ( Charleston ), revisits all the stages of writing a novel: from brainstorming ideas to finding a publisher, including how she creates character profiles and constructs her stories. In a lighthearted tone that demystifies the challenges involved, Marie Vareille shares her own writing tips to guide aspiring authors step by step.
First novel, how to use it, Laure Pécher, Zoé Publishing
The author starts with a simple observation: most first novels are rejected by publishers. How can you avoid becoming one of them? In this book, she doesn’t just offer writing tips, but dissects the elements that make a good novel and provides advice on the right questions to ask and the techniques to use to captivate her readers.
Writing methods:
John Truby is a screenwriter and teaches screenwriting at university. His book, while focused on film, has much to offer writers who want to learn more about crafting a good story. It provides details and explanations of the twenty-two steps Truby identifies in writing a good screenplay (character development, world-building, plot development , dialogue writing, etc.). While writing style isn’t addressed, it is, however, a bible when it comes to narrative structure.
Write a Novel in 30 Days, Chris Baty, Hauteville Publishing
Chris Baty is the creator of NaNoWriMo , or National Novel Writing Month , a challenge that encourages authors worldwide to set writing goals for the month of November and write every day to achieve them. Originating in the United States, the movement has grown significantly and fostered a vibrant community of authors who support each other and share their writing experiences. This book offers some writing tips, but it’s primarily a source of motivation that will boost any author struggling to finish a project, or even to start one altogether.
Characters and Point of View, Orson Scott Card
Famous for the bestseller Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card also writes essays on writing. This book is a treasure trove of information for learning how to create compelling characters while avoiding one-dimensional archetypes. The author doesn’t just discuss preparatory work but also explores how to evoke emotion in the reader through characters, dialogue writing, and the different forms of narration and the appeal each point of view can bring. A valuable resource for authors looking to develop their characters more deeply.
Testimonials from writers:
Writing, Memoirs of a Craft, Stephen King
Part autobiography, part essay, this book offers a compelling account of the master of horror’s work as a writer. Throughout its pages, he reflects on what drove him to become an author and write novels. He also offers advice for aspiring writers and reassures those who write their stories without structure: he never makes a plan! This book isn’t the place to find the most technical tips for improving your writing, but it’s interesting for the glimpse it provides into the inner workings of the writing profession.
You are the writer, Jean-Philippe Toussaint, Le Robert
This book is one of the first in a series of “Secrets of Writing” advice books launched by Le Robert, which also includes writing tips from Michel Bussi and will soon include those from Susie Morgenstern and Franck Thilliez. Jean-Philippe Toussaint , the author of eighteen novels published by Éditions de Minuit, invites his reader into the intimacy of his writing room to share his advice on the art of writing, as well as universal reflections on the power of the act of writing.
My Secrets as a Writer , Elizabeth George,
A leading author of crime fiction, Elizabeth George shares her advice and methods for writing a novel. While the book focuses primarily on the crime genre, it is equally useful for any writer who wants to work on plot structure or suspense. Numerous excerpts from her early novels, as well as from great works (Dickens, Shakespeare, Poe, etc.), illustrate her points. A chapter is dedicated to each important theme, making it easy to refer back to the relevant sections when writing.
The Art of Fiction, David Lodge, Rivages
David Lodge is a writer, but also an academic and literary critic. More than writing techniques, the author studies literary tropes: magical realism, the epistolary novel, interior monologue… Each chapter is illustrated with an excerpt from English or American literature. While his observations may not be as easily put into practice as those of other works on this list, the book is very interesting for literature lovers looking to enrich their thinking about writing.