Books are our business. The number of titles out there on how to write better or increase profits is so overwhelming students often ask for recommendations. Below I've listed favorites from my own office bookshelf. These are books I turn to repeatedly -- well worn and worth the price.

Spark ideas:

The Sound of Paper by Julia Cameron. This is one of my current favorites. Written by the author of The Artist's Way after a personally trying period in her life, I found the essays thought-provoking and targeting my own emotions and struggles during the past few years. Since I also love to hear the sound of my fountain pen on heavy paper, I was also drawn to the title. While she mentions morning pages, this book is far differen from her previous offering, filled with quick "chapters" followed by exercises that for me have sparked poems and essays--my most creative of work.

Page After Page by Heather Sellers. This book is visually appealing. Collage-styled illustrations complement page borders which give the effect of handmade paper. Short essays introduce a variety of topics that keep writers from writing, followed by exercises to address the "problems." One workshop class loved the "challenge" to write badly ("Dare to Suck")--no excuses to avoid sharing in-class writing that time. It was a fun way to put our writing efforts into perspective!

Pen on Fire: A busy woman's guide to igniting the writer within by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. Another fun book following the essay-plus-writing exercise format. This one breaks the contents into six categories (plus the introductory, "before you begin" section). Whether I'm trying to "get started" or "overcome obstacles" I've found motivating suggestions by flipping around in the book. (And, yes, dear students, you've done some of these exercises, too!)

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. Brief personal experiences flow into writing exercises to get your creative juices streaming into prose.

Pencil Dancing by Mari Messer provides a fresh perspective to creative thinking. Imagery games and fun exercises (even a few "field trips") help readers get pencils dancing across the page.

Legacy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Personal History by Linda Spence includes questions to help writers draw fully on specific memories to bring personal history alive for readers–whether family, friends, or strangers

Focus on Craft:

Make Your Words Work by Gary Provost covers all the elements for writing both fiction and nonfiction (from pace, voice, viewpoint, characterization, and unity to style, form, and rewriting) and includes writing exercises. What I like best are the Coffee Breaks sprinkled between chapters to help the reader apply the elements of craft. This is an out-of-print favorite I return to again and again.

On Writing Well by William Zinsser offers excellent advice on writing nonfiction and lean, engaging prose.

Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan focuses on using description, including the five senses and figurative language, to bring characters to life, and improve setting, plot and pacing--whether writing fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. McClanahan's poetic prose makes this book a joy to read!

Web Word Wizardry by Rachel McAlpine covers the details necessary to craft effective web content.

How to get your Teaching Ideas Published by Jean Stangl. This guide to educational publishing focuses on writing classroom activities, teaching ideas, and educational articles for children and adults.

Find Inspiration:

Escaping into the Open by Elizabeth Berg. One of my favorite authors shares her journey to publication and provides steps to get readers started on their own writing journeys. I especially like the chapters on what to look for in a writing workshop and making the transition from writing nonfiction to fiction. Chapter 3 focuses on unleashing creativity and includes a long list of writing prompts.

Writing Articles about the World Around You by Marcia Yudkin. Knowing where to look for ideas is one step in the writing process, but getting fired up to write is important too. Whenever I need a creative boost, I thumb through this book until my mind is spinning with more ideas than I have time to develop!

Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner. Written by an editor and agent, this insider's guide is a chatty, informal handbook to the publishing game. It's sage advice and engaging stories always leave me inspired.

Other helpful titles:

Knowing Where to Look by Lois Horowitz (research advice written by a librarian)
Character-Naming Sourcebook by Sherrilyn Kenyon (alphabetic lists cross-referenced to nationalities)
A Writer's Time by Kenneth Atchity (finding creative time)
Time Management for the Creative Person by Lee T. Silber (nonlinear appraoch for using creativity and resourcefulness to more done)

Click here for more recommended titles, both those I own and those I feel are worth owning.

Some of these titles are out of print or difficult to find. If you can't buy or borrow those you're interested in locally, try Powells.com. I love this company! (Can you tell?) I've had great luck with difficult-to-find books and have been surprised by the condition of the used books I've purchased (bindings never cracked, like new condition). And, they showed up on my doorstep surprisingly fast. So, if you can't find what you're looking for at your independent bookseller, click over to Powells.