Looking for ways to make your writing resolutions stick? I’ve compiled my list of the most influential books I’ve ever read, both as a writer and as a human being.
I found it impossible to sort these according to importance, with the possible exception of the first title, as all of them have had such great impact at different times of my life.
Reason it made the list: Satisfies the geekiest of urges to look up errors in grammar and punctuation. I get ridiculously emotional about this book.
Number of times read: I carry it in my purse at all times. No kidding.
What it will do for you: Hands-down easiest and best reference for grammar, punctuation, and language usage. Respected by everybody. It’s lighter than the Chicago Manual of Style, and faster to use. I cannot live without it, and read it like a novel.
Reason it made the list: Makes you think of your writing and yourself as part of a larger whole.
Number of times read: About 10, from age 12 on.
What it will do for you: Gives you the tools you need to communicate better with just about anyone, in any situation. Great gift for young adults, and a healthy reminder of valuable writing and speaking skills for a lifetime.
Reason it made the list: Reminds you to keep a level head, even when you’re chasing a ghost and your father has been kidnapped.
Number of times read: About 500 between the ages of 6 and 10. About 200 between the ages of 10 and 35. I used to own the entire series, but the bindings eventually collapsed.
What it will do for you: A great series of books for a curious little (or big) girl, teaching us to avoid letting emotions clog our rational processes. Includes many important useful tips, such as to always keep a flashlight in your purse, and how to use a bobby pin to pick a lock.
Reason it made the list: Stop thinking this is a book about sales: it’s a story about a salesman who understood people.
Number of times read: Several.
What it will do for you: Falls into the category of classic motivational / professional development literature, whether you are in sales or not. A simple yet profound understanding of what motivates people. (This is sometimes found in the Christian section of your local independent bookstore, though the style is not overtly pastoral.) Note: Mandino wrote about something called “The Greatest Secret in the World” in 1975 – 31 years before Rhonda Byrne shared her “discovery” with anybody.
Reason it made the list: Before Tony Robbins, before Stephen Covey, and before Wayne Dyer, there was Mr. Hill and his 17 Laws of Success. This was the first of HIll’s books that I ever read. Given to me by my future husband on our second date, in lieu of flowers or candy. I knew then that he was the one for me.
Number of times read: I typically read it about once every 18 months or so.
What it will do for you: If you think it’s about being financially rich, you’re missing plenty. Hill was so far ahead of his time, which was the dirty 30’s, when we were recovering from that other depression. Don’t forget that Hill was a friend and protege of the wealthiest entrepreneur in the world at the time: Andrew Carnegie, an entirely self-made man. Fear of success? Fear no more.
Reason it made the list: Had I not been obsessed with this book when I was in my formative writing years – about age 12 – I would be less of a writer today.
Number of times read: Many, and I should probably read it again.
What it will do for you: In my less-than-humble opinion, despite the best efforts of Oprah, we do not read enough classics anymore, and we’re not passing them on to the next generation of writers. This book is an excellent example of the Second Rule of Writing, Write What You Know. Nobody knew romance, heartbreak and misery better than the Bronte sisters.
Reason it made the list: It’s hard to write well when you feel awful, and the plan in this book drastically improved my overall well-being.
Number of times read: I refer to it all the time.
What it will do for you: Gives you a much better understanding of how your body works and what it needs to work well, including your brain. It also happens to be a great example of a well-written, non-fiction book with fun anecdotes and excellent typesetting. Includes an interesting section about anthropology, and personality profiles associated with your blood type. (Turns out, I’m a writer by blood – literally and figuratively.)
Reason it made the list: If there is a past life, I lived it in turn-of-the century Egypt, as an Englishwoman Archaeologist and amateur Detective.
Number of times read: I own at least one edition of each in the series – 18 in all, plus a companion book – including autographed copies. I usually have one of these on the go.
What it will do for you: The language used in these books reflects the vocabulary and spoken English of roughly the 1890’s to 1920’s, which is refreshingly complex. Why doesn’t anyone use grammar and sentence structure like this today? Rich sweeping vistas and stories that suck you in and make you read until 3am.
Reason it made the list: All the world’s a stage, and Robert McKee teaches the writer how to tell a story, fiction or not, that will engage your readers.
Number of times read: About 3 from front-to-back, and refer to it regularly.
What it will do for you: Understanding how a classic story works is a key part of one’s basic writing skillset. The fiction formula taught by McKee is really based on ancient story-telling techniques of classic literature, and has numerous modern applications, far beyond that of writing a film script. Read it with this in mind, and you won’t be able to put it down. Spurs your imagination to great heights.
Reason it made the list: Another great communication reference, which talks very specifically about the one emotion that motivates just about everyone to do just about everything.
Number of times read: I’m afraid to say.
What it will do for you: Get past that writer’s block by understanding where it really comes from. Develop a sense of confidence about your writing that you’ve never had before, and if you need to make changes, this book will definitely help you do that. Don’t limit this book’s potential for you by calling it a “self-help” title, as it is a very basic approach to a universal obstacle for all healthy people.
Enjoy!
Twitter ID = @chrispirillo) is a genius – in 12 minutes, he got several thousand people to instantly click to his late-night online talk show.
