The Writing Books I Still Return to After 25 Years in Journalism
I’ve sent 25 years as a journalist, and I’ve written thousands of stories. Stories help us make sense of the world around us, and there are a handful of great books that I feel like have helped me become a better storyteller over the years. Here are my favorites and the ones I still revisit year after year:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: One of my professors at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University introduced me to Bird by Bird, and I re-read it at least once a year. I already knew I wanted to be a journalist before reading it, but the book captured why perfectly: “One of the gifts of being a writer is that it gives you an excuse to do things, to go places and explore. Another is that writing motivates you to look closely at life, at life as it lurches by and tramps around.” Lamott gives terrific advice on writing and life, and the book is worth reading even if you don’t want to write.
On Writing by Stephen King: On Writing is part memoir, part masterclass. It combines storytelling with writing advice and is worth reading even if you aren’t a fan of King’s writing. One of my favorite parts is King saying he learned more from John Gould, editor of Lisbon’s weekly newspaper, about writing than from his English Lit classes and “in no more than about ten minutes.” Gould sat with King and edited his first news story for the paper. “I only took out the bad parts,” Gould told him. Another piece of advice from Gould: “When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.”
The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr: Journalism may deal in facts, but readers stay with stories because of psychology. As Storr wrote, “There’s simply no way to understand the human world without stories. They fill our newspapers, our law courts, our sporting arenas, our government debating chambers, our school playgrounds, our computer games, the lyrics to our songs, our private thoughts and public conversations and our waking and sleeping dreams.” Conflict, motivation, belief and change are all part of what make a story work, whether it is fiction or non-fiction. The Science of Storytelling helps writers understand why readers care, when they care and when they stop.
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White: This book is a classic. In journalism, writing needs to be clear and concise. Strunk and White emphasize the importance of precision and simplicity, and The Elements of Style covers grammar, usage and the principles of composition. It was first published in 1959, but the key points remain relevant, including do not explain too much and don’t use fancy words. The blurb from the New York times on the back of my copy, states: Buy it, study it, enjoy it. It’s as timeless as a book can be in our age of volubility.”
If you’re looking to get started writing or learn more about the craft, you can’t go wrong with any of these titles.
*This post contains affiliate links.