Writing, per some noobs out there who have no idea what they’re talking about, is oh so easy!
Like I said… noobs. Even the best of us out there will tell you how difficult it really is. In fact, the best of the bests will tell you how hard it is to write something moderately decent — something a reader will want to read from top to bottom.
Bloggers, myself included, often do not come to this line of work understanding all that it takes to create content week after week after week, then months and years. When I first started, it took me by surprise how long it took me to write on a topic I thought I knew so well about.
You see, the writing part itself wasn’t difficult. I had written before, of course. Research papers, project reports, etc. But never did I worry so much about whether or not my professors would care to read what I had to write. Professors get paid to read students’ work after all. Thinking back now, I kinda feel sorry for my professors.
But things are different now. My readers do not owe me a thing. In order to hold their attention, I now need to be a good writer. Someone who can hold my readers’ attention by my skill alone. And the quality of my content, relevance, usefulness, etc.
Basically, how I treat the act of writing has made a complete 180-degrees from back when I was in college, writing to pass my classes.
I’m better now. And a lot of it has to do with intentionally learning about writing. Some of the resources that I’m about to list here (especially the books) have helped shape my writing. And the work isn’t even done yet! My writing is still lacking, but if you were to go back and read some of my first blog posts, you’ll be able to spot the difference.
Anyhow, I figured today I’ll share some of the resources and tools with you that have helped me become a better writer. If you’re a new writer, some of these should help. Definitely consider reading the books at least. The rest, well, they’re mostly for vanity. You can skip them if you want to.
Books and Other Tools for Being a Better Writer
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Books for writers
To be a better writer, one must always be a better reader. The books I have linked below are some that have shaped my life as a writer. Consider purchasing them from wherever you buy your books from, or from Amazon (links provided.) You could also check them out from your local public library. However, I recommend you consider purchasing at least the first two books on the list — Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, and On Writing Well by William Zinsser.
Learn from the giants
Aside from these books, I would recommend Malcolm Gladwell’s writing course on Masterclass. Gladwell is one of my favorite contemporary essayists and I love how he writes. Listening to him talk about writing and how he approaches his subjects have been a transformational experience for me. But what’s more is that your yearly subscription of Masterclass will not only give you access to Gladwell’s class, but also classes from a lot of great writers like Roxane Gay, Shonda Rhimes, Neil Gaiman, Issa Rae, and more!
Other tools for writers
These next set of tools aren’t necessary for being a better writer, but well, writing is a lonely job you see… and sometimes, having fancy tools can somewhat dispel this loneliness, even if just for a bit, and however vain it may be.
Well, that’s it guys, hopefully you’ll find some of these resources useful to you. Feel free to skip the tools, but definitely consider reading the books I mention here, as well as signing up for Malcolm Gladwell’s Masterclass.

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2 thoughts on “13 Books and Other Tools to be a Better Writer”
Great post! I’ve been looking for some suggestions on how to up my writing game and needed some guidance for some good reads. Thanks!
Thanks, Mandy 🙂