Learn how to write a novel with these 10 helpful resources

You’re ready to write a book, but you’re not sure where to start. Or maybe you’re an avid creative writer and you want to level up your story skills. Whatever your reasons, the best thing you can do for your writing life is to invest in continuous learning. When you take the time to understand storytelling at a deep level, writing gets a lot faster and easier. Here are my 10 favorite resources for aspiring authors.

1) Brandon Sanderson Lectures

Brandon Sanderson is an acclaimed author known for his world-building and intricate magic systems. His lectures at BYU are available for free on YouTube. In them, he discusses the creative process, the art of storytelling and the nuances of world-building and character development. Full disclosure, I haven’t watched all of these, since I write contemporary, but I think they would be valuable if you are a fantasy writer or someone who wants to go deeper into learning plot and characterization.

2) Making a Good Script Great

Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger is a screenwriting book, but it dissects storytelling principles that also apply to novel writing. I really recommend screenwriting resources if you want to learn story structure at a deep level. Scriptwriters must have a strong grasp on structure or a movie will fall flat. Seger uses her experience as a script consultant to break down the essential elements of a successful story. She takes you through the intricacies of character development, plot structure, dialogue, and theme, using examples from film. Seger equips you with the tools you need to create compelling, unforgettable stories.

3) Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide To Character Expression

This guide will help you describe and write a wide range of emotions for your characters. The Emotion Thesaurus provides a list of physical signals, internal sensations, mental responses and effects of long-term emotions. It allows you to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind and create engaging characters. While I do think this is a valuable resource, it is limited to showing emotion through visceral reactions and body language. I would encourage you to explore other ways of conveying emotion as well. Check out the other books in the series, including The Occupation Thesaurus.

4) Bird by Bird

This writing guide intertwines personal anecdotes, practical advice, and humorous insights in a way that really resonates. Drawing from her own experiences, Anne Lamott encourages you to embrace the chaos and imperfection of the craft, treating the act of writing as a journey of self-discovery and growth. This is not really a craft book filled with writing applications, but it definitely helps with a healthy outlook for your writing journey. It’s a book that makes you feel less alone.

5) Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction

Perfect for worldbuilders, Jeff VanderMeer's Wonderbook invites you to wander through its gorgeous pages and explore the depths of your imagination. VanderMeer shares exercises, prompts and contributions from a variety of accomplished authors. This book is a breath of fresh air for visual learners since the content is surrounded by mesmerizing illustrations. Wonderbook will help you unlock new and masterful worlds of your own.

6) Story Genius

Story Genius by Lisa Cron helps you go deep into the craft of storytelling by unravelling the secrets behind compelling narratives. Cron's approach on how to write a book is practical. It will guide you through the process of understanding your characters' motivations, desires, and fears. She emphasizes the importance of developing a solid protagonist and infusing their journey with conflict, tension, and purpose. What sets Story Genius apart is Cron's emphasis on the psychology of storytelling, urging writers to tap into their readers' emotional core. This book will help you craft stories that leave a lasting impact.

7) Creating Character Arcs

This book by K.M. Weiland will help you develop compelling character arcs. It dives deep into the art of constructing authentic character transformations. Weiland's book tackles key elements, such as the importance of understanding a character's wants, needs and desires to create compelling storylines. Creating Character Arcs is an essential companion that I recommend if you want to learn how to link story structure and plot to character development.

8) UBC online writing courses

Taught by MFA Creative Writing instructors, UBC’s non-credit writing courses give you a taste of MFA-level writing courses. They’re all online and open to everyone! These classes are a great choice if you’re looking to develop your creative writing craft and complete practical work that will assist you in completing your novel. Three courses for three different writing stages are available.

9) Helping Writers Become Authors Blog

K.M. Weiland's blog, Helping Writers Become Authors, offers practical advice on different aspects of writing craft. My favourite feature of this blog is being able to search popular movies and books and read a structural, beat-by-beat breakdown. If you're looking to brush up your knowledge on storytelling, story structure and character development, K.M. Weiland's blog is an indispensable resource for your writing journey.

10) Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

This is one of the best books on how to write a novel. It’s a writing craft favorite for aspiring writers as it guides you through the art of proper story structure. Save the Cat! Writes a Novel equips writers by going through a novel structure framework, using bestselling novels as examples. The book emphasizes the importance of creating strong character arcs and compelling plots. With practical advice, Save the Cat Writes a Novel is an invaluable resource for any writer who wants to write stories that captivate readers.

If you’re looking for one on one storytelling help, I’m a storytelling coach who helps writers by evaluating their manuscripts for strong storytelling concepts and frameworks. I also coach writers through the outlining, or early drafting stages. If you need help getting unstuck with your story, get in touch through my contact page.