10 Must-read books for writers and creatives

Ready to jumpstart your art?

Looking for some inspiration to jumpstart your creativity? Look no further! In this short blog, I'm sharing some of my favourite book recommendations for writers and creatives.

Cos there’s no way your bookshelves are already bulging. Photo by Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash

These books have been a source of motivation, guidance, and insight for me, and I don’t have to be asked twice to share my bookshelf!

Whether you're struggling with writer's block, looking to improve your craft, or seeking creative inspiration, there's something here for you.

Let's dive in and explore these crackers in no particular order (how could I choose a favourite?!).

1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert - A book that encourages readers to embrace their creativity and pursue their passions without fear.
   In a nutshell: "The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them."
   

2. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. A valuable resource for writers of all levels looking to improve their craft and develop a deeper connection to their creativity.
   In a nutshell: "Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open."
   

3. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King - A memoir and guide to writing from one of the most successful authors of our time.
   In a nutshell: "The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better."
   

4. The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield - A motivational book that helps readers overcome creative blocks and self-doubt.

   In a nutshell: "Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet. It is the root of more unhappiness than poverty, disease, and erectile dysfunction."
   

5. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott - A witty and insightful book on writing that covers everything from first drafts to publishing.

   In a nutshell: "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere."
   

6. The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White - A classic guide to writing that covers the basics of grammar, style, and clarity.

   In a nutshell: "Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts."
   

7. The Writing Life by Annie Dillard - A personal reflection on the writing process that offers advice and inspiration for writers of all levels.
   In a nutshell: "Appealing workplaces are to be avoided. One wants a room with no view, so imagination can meet memory in the dark.”
   

8. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon. This funky and practical book encourages you to embrace creativity and find inspiration in unexpected places. Great to throw in your bag and dip in and out of.
   In a nutshell: "Your job is to collect good ideas. The more good ideas you collect, the more you can choose from to be influenced by."
   

9. The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp - A book that explores the habits and practices of successful artists and provides practical advice for developing a creative routine.
   In a nutshell: "Creativity is not just for artists. It's for businesspeople looking for a new way to close a sale; it's for engineers trying to solve a problem; it's for parents who want their children to see the world in more than one way."
   

10. The Artist's Way at Work: Riding the Dragon by Mark Bryan, Julia Cameron, and Catherine Allen - A follow-up to The Artist's Way that focuses on using creativity in the workplace.

    In a nutshell: "Creativity is the common currency of success in the Information Age. The world no longer rewards people for what they know; it rewards them for what they can do with what they know."

So they’re my recommendations, which I’ve curated from other writers and artists. Each has played its part in my personal (ongoing) journey, and I hope they do the same for you. Many of the above links can be found via secondhand book dealers.

If you’re interested in my in-depth experience of the creativity bible ‘The Artist’s Way’, head this way.

Over to you. I’d love to read your top recommendations. Pop them in the comments or message me.

Is your inner artist gagged and bound? Discover the magic of The Artist's Way