How to Know What to Write

By Carly

As someone who has spent hours in front of a computer screen with hands poised, I can say from experience that inspiration does not flow freely from a tap inside your mind that can be easily turned on and off. There are a few different methods I use when this happens.

Get the junk out. Just … write. Yes, it will probably be super bad. It’s OK. No one else will be reading!
Read. Read any and everything. Newspapers, novels, trashy romance novels, the back of cereal boxes … the more you read, the better writer you will become.

Speaking of reading, there are five specific books about the subject of writing that are all information and inspirational.

On Writing, Stephen King – Yes, by THAT Stephen King. This book is both a memoir of his life and a primer on how to become a successful writer. King covers some of the finer details of writing as well as what it takes to be a successful writer (if that is your goal.)
The Elements of Style, William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White – Originally published in 1918, this book covers usage.
Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation, Lynne Truss – Punctuation that been incorrectly used can range from annoying to downright humorous. The book itself has been widely criticized, but I’ve still found it to be an invaluable guide.
AP Stylebook, Associated Press – Most newspapers and some Web sites follow AP style. This book is especially important if you’re writing a press release.
Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, Mignon Fogarty – As Grammar Girl points out, most people have problems with usage rather than grammar. She also a fun Web site.

There are tons of writing resources available, but those would definitely be my top five favorites. And yes, I do sometimes read them just for fun. Do you have any suggestions to add to this list?