Five books to kick start your writing.

There are many books out there that will tell you how to create characters, plot your story and get published. These books will help you kick start your writing…

The Write Brain Workbook by Bonnie Neubauer. 

(Writer’s Digest Books, 2006.) 

I’ve used this book and have found it very helpful. It contains 366 exercises to help kick start your brain. It’s a workbook so you can write and draw straight into the book (For someone who never writes in books it took a while to get used to but great fun once I had.) One exercise a day. It will help warm up the brain before jumping in on the work in progress. 

The Five Minute Writer by Margret Geraghty. 

(How To Books, 2009.) 

I also own this book and have found it very helpful, (yes, I own a lot of writing books.) This one offers writing related discussion followed by a five minute exercise. Even when I’m busy, five minutes of writing seems possible. 

What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter. 

Harper Collins, 2005. 

Like the five minute writer, this book offers bite size writing exercises that you can fit into your day no matter how busy you are. 

My Future Listography (all I hope to do in lists.) 

(Chronicle Books, 2011.) 

I LOVE lists. I am the queen of making lists whether it’s a to do list or a wish list. This is one in a series of books which allow you to make lists around a particular thing, for example, “which films do you want to see in your life?” Lists are a good way of getting the writing brain going. 

Ready Set Novel (A Noveling Journal,) by Taria Stewart – Streit, Chris Baty and Lindsey Grant. 

(Chronicle Books, 2011.) 

From the people who brought you National Novel Writing Month comes Ready, Set Novel. This book is amazing and one that I’ve found very helpful. It takes you through the stages of planning a book from the plot to characters but where it’s a workbook, it’s very practical and it means all of your story notes are in one place. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.