We’re back for a fifth month of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

If you’d like to chime in and let us know your answers to the questions or drop a link to your post if you’re participating, please do so in the comments! And check out the IWSG website for more answers!

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August 4 question – What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

Jayden: I don’t know that I’ve read any writing craft books that stand out. Mostly I’ve read a lot of smut (a lot of it!) and extrapolated what I liked and didn’t like from other people’s styles. It has been a learning experience, for sure. My biggest barrier to traditional publishing is that I have a tendency to not stick to one kink genre. I like switching roles, and bisexual encounters, and foursomes with all bi people… Most erotica is best marketed under the “This story is FemDom” or “This story is MaleDom.” That’s great, but what if I wanted to write both into the same story? I also sometimes write too extreme kinks.

In any case, I like to read a variety of things to help give me ideas of what I like and don’t like, and then write what I want to read and self publish it. I also like to try new things, writing from different perspectives, different points of view or different tenses. It keeps things interesting, and I find that the more I do it, the better equipped I am to write a variety of things.

Richard: I don’t think I’ve ever read a craft book either. A few of my friends did in undergrad, and I kind of skimmed them and found them either absurdly specific, (NEVER USE ADVERBS EVER) or vague to the point of being pointless and contradictory. So instead, I’m going to drop a link to Kurt Vonnegut’s Eight Rules for Creative Writing. One list anyway, he appears to have several, but I like this one the best: https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/tips-masters/kurt-vonnegut-8-basics-of-creative-writing
I appreciate it because it struck a good balance between more broadly philosophical (Don’t waste the reader’s time) as well as more concrete craft (Give your characters motivations.)

I do have a couple craft books on my to read list this semester, so maybe I’ll circle back afterwards.