Percy offers detailed, distinctive clarifications of common craft advice.

Salesses investigates why and how writing craft rules work, and gives concrete suggestions for how we might think about them differently.

John Truby’s popular Anatomy of Story is a valuable encyclopedia of plot moves and character insights but may frustrate writers wanting to explore deeper territory.

Donald Maass offers specific examples of what sets breakout novels apart from others.

Jessica Morell’s exploration of common problems in fiction and how to solve them.

John Gardner’s Art of Fiction is misogynist and dated, but here are four pieces of wisdom worth retaining.

Elizabeth George’s method for crafting characters, plots, and scenes.

Jack Bickham’s advice on how to harness the logic of cause-and-effect to create effective plots, characters, and scenes.

Castellani’s in-depth, nuanced exploration of the foundational tool of point of view could transform the way you tell stories.

Dean Wesley Smith’s method for how to write a novel without an outline.

Jane Alison’s exploration of forms for fiction that go beyond the classic narrative arc.

James Scott Bell’s advice on how you can use three key plot moments to structure your novel.

A review of KM Weiland's practical, action-oriented method for outlining your novel.

Wisdom from Le Guin on how to manage tense, point of view, and pacing – plus reassurance that your story will find its way.

A step-by-step guide to planning and writing a well-plotted mystery.

A review of the newest edition of Janet Burroway’s Writing Fiction, the standard text used in many creative writing programs.

Chuck Wendig’s theory of storytelling

Learn how Jessica Brody’s beat sheet can help you construct or revise your novel.

Shawn Coyne’s Story Grid offers two tools writers can use to plan and revise their novel.

What can this classic study of the novel teach twenty-first century writers?