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Writer's Read

Wynelda-Ann Deaver

I have a room devoted to books. To those of you who know me, who have heard my, “My name is Wynelda and I’m a book-a-holic” speech, this is not news. Three large bookcases overflow with my books, and yet there are only a few that I would actually deem important to writing.

Building a writer’s library is not that difficult, or expensive. At least it doesn’t have to be. Below are some of my hints of what you might want to invest in.

Dictionary: Most people need a good dictionary, and writers are no exception. Make sure it is a good dictionary—and a high price does not always mean superiority. I once had an expensive, pretty hardbound dictionary that did not have most of the words that I needed it for. I gave the hardback away and bought a paperback one that has been functioning well.

Thesaurus: Have you ever been stuck looking for a word? You know what it means, have the synonyms, but still can’t pull the word out of your hat? A thesaurus is great in these situations, although a word of caution: sometimes it can be hard to find the word groupings that you’re looking for. I often end up in the index, then going to the pages listed. To get around this problem, buy a thesaurus that is in dictionary format.

Grammar/Style: Strunk & White or the Chicago Manual of Style are ideal places to start. They are highly recommended by both publishers and writers alike.

Writer's Market: If you plan to submit your work, Writers’ Digest’s Writer’s Market is a great investment. If you specialize, you may want to check into their specialty market books instead.

Now, gentle reader, you know that I am not too fond of books on craft, per se. If you read this column on a regular basis, then you have a good idea of the books that I keep reaching for: Room to Write by Bonni Goldberg, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King, Escaping into the Open: The Art of Writing True by Elizabeth Berg and Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. Books on history and genre-specific writing titles fill out the shelves.

Start with a few of the basics, then add your own special spices. The library that you start now will serve you well for years to come.