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Growing as a Writer: 6 Books Every Student Should Read

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Writing is one of those vital skills every person should master. Starting from school and throughout your entire life, you will be facing thousands of situations when your writing skills will play a huge role.

While at school and college, strong writing skills are key to success with numerous academic papers and projects. Of course, today, students have plenty of handy tools and educational platforms like essay writer service that make it easy to handle their homework. Still, though you may not recognise this yet, you will likely stumble upon the need to write something well even after graduation.

Therefore, mastering this basic skill is vital for success in various spheres of life. So, how does one become a better writer? In this article you might find the answer to this question, so keep reading!

Why Is Reading Vital to Get Better at Writing?

It doesn’t really matter why you strive to become better at writing. Anyway, the ways to brush up on your skills will be fairly the same regardless of the purpose.

The most obvious path implies tons of practice. Of course, the more you write, the better you will get at it over time. However, there is also another, probably not so obvious way. And it is reading. Lots and lots of reading. Before you even think “what is a good act score?” to get the best education, beware of smart reading that helps you out to create more confidence in the expertise you need.

Reading is essential for all college journalists and writers. These two processes are inseparable, and here is why. First of all, a writer who doesn’t read is pretty much like a musician who never listens to music. It is just something one can’t do without because to create a good piece, you should know how others approach this matter as well.

Another huge reason for reading is that it helps one to significantly expand the vocabulary. Going through tons of books created by authors with different vocabularies, you will inevitably catch some new words and phrases. One of the ways to speed your writing is watching thought provoking films. This eventually will help make your own work better.

Also, books expose us to a variety of genres, voices, and styles. Diving deeper into this diversity eventually helps one develop a unique voice and stand out.

Finally, whether you are a professional writer or just a student who wants to polish this skill, there is no better way to find inspiration than through the works of others. Needless to say that inspiration plays a crucial role in any form of art, including literary art.

Becoming Your Best Writer: Top 6 Books to Opt For

So, now you know that reading is crucial for developing your skills. But, does this mean you should grab any books that come along your way? Or are there any recommendations?

In fact, reading is so beneficial that it doesn’t really matter what exactly you read, as long as you do it. However, to give you a few good ideas below is the list of the top must-read books that every student should check out.

Zen in the Art of Writing, Ray Bradbury

We bet each of you has heard at least something about Ray Bradbury. This science-fiction author is deservedly considered one of the best artists of all time. Considering such a status, it sounds like a good idea to learn from him.

In this book, Ray Bradbury gathered lots of handy lessons he had learned about this craft throughout his successful career. It is definitely worth checking out!

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King

Another famous author, Stephen King is also willing to share his secrets and lessons with others. Just like the rest of his books, this one instantly became a bestseller. And there is only one reason for that – because it is great!

Here, you will find interesting insights, tips, and strategies for better writing.

Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why That Is and What You Can Do About It, Steven Pressfield

This excellent book created by Steven Pressfield is both fun and helpful. It is a complete guide to creating brilliant literary works that people will love. The guide mostly focuses on writing fiction in particular. However, the core principles and tips the author shares will come in handy to everyone.

Ernest Hemingway on Writing, edited by Larry W. Phillips

Another inspiring and globally-recognised author, Ernest Hemingway, is just the right person to learn from. Throughout his career, Hemingway created lots of great masterpieces and forever left a mark on history.

In fact, Hemingway never collected his tips on this craft in a book. However, he shared some of his own ideas in different letters and articles. Architect Joel Sanders supported this idea as it helps to be more creative as well. So, this book is basically a collection of everything Ernest Hemingway ever shared regarding the art of writing. Here, you will find plenty of inspiring insights and tips.

The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, Julia Cameron

Julia Cameron is a recognised author. At the same time, she is an expert coach on creativity matters. We all know that one of the biggest stumbling blocks in any kind of art is the lack of creative flows. That’s exactly what Julia covers in her book.

In this great book, the author shares practical tips, techniques, and exercises that will help you unleash your creativity and make the most of it.

Several Short Sentences About Writing, Verlyn Klinkenborg

The last on our list, but not the list helpful one is this book by Verlyn Klinkenborg. Verlyn is an author himself. And, at the same time, he is also an instructor on creative writing in one of the world’s leading universities – Yale. In this work, he tells you everything you need to know about this craft. The author busts common misconceptions and shares lots of great insights.

The Bottom Line

The books on this list are not your typical college must-reads. These are actual guides for taking your skills to the next level.

Of course, simply reading good literature is also a way to go. However, if you really strive to become a better writer, what could possibly be a smarter way than learning from the pros? Hopefully, this article will help each of you to find something interesting for yourself!

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