Writing Stack Exchange
Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [book-recommendation]

A book recommendation provides a source which discusses a particular area of writing or existing works which demonstrate a particular technique.

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How to handle characters being funny in a dire situation without ruining the mood

There's one thing I always find impressive and moving when I see it in accounts of historical events or depicted well in fiction: gallows humour, when a person who is facing likely or certain death cracks a joke. I'd like to put a little of this in…
Lostinfrance
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Books about English Writing

Can you recommend a good reference book about the basics of English writing?
Adam Matan
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Fiction writing book recommendation for a 10-year old

My 10 year old niece enjoys writing fiction and writes very well for her age. I would love to encourage her love of writing. Can anyone recommend a good fiction writing book that is accessible to a 10-year old?
Scott
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Which edition of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style?

I'm interesting in picking up a copy of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. Unfortunately I'm a little overwhelmed by the minor variations. Amazon lists 12 different paperback formats, plus a half dozen or more other editions. I'm interested in…
chmullig
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Please suggest an exemplary book for professional writing

I would like to improve my writing style, grammar, and vocabulary, but I'm having a hard time finding a good exemplary book. Most of books I find perfect at first, turn out to be full of flaws and/or informal expressions. I'm looking for a…
Nate
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Seeking Comp (Comparison) Titles for my Work-In-Progress

Seeking comp titles for my WIP. Can you recommend books that meet one or more of these criteria? Soft sci-fi Space setting with fantasy feel Speculative fiction about species that has advanced technology but doesn't place much value on it (similar…
user25668
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Is the Microsoft Manual of Style appropriate for writing general IT related instructional documents?

I'm currently working for a company's IT department, and one of my tasks is to write documentation for common procedures that we perform, in order to get new employees acquainted with them more quickly. I was considering using the Microsoft Manual…
Jacob Nicholson
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Book recommendations that feature the canadian north

Are there any well known (or even lesser known) books (fiction/non fiction) that are written against the beautiful backdrop of the Canadian north? i.e that talks about the nature, the history and the indigenous cultures that inhibit the boreal…
Victor123
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Works of fiction containing non-related but constantly alternating narrative streams?

Chapter is set in a particular period in time, having four - at the time - in no way related characters, each of them with their own separate story. My best feeling is these stories should be presented in an alternating way, while never directly…
M. S.
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Looking for source material on large, long-lived criminal blackmail rings

I'm writing a story where the main character is trying to take down a very successful, established blackmail ring. I'm looking for some existing good stories about large-scale blackmail to get some character and dialog ideas. The Big Sleep is an OK…
Jeremy Wadhams
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Book recommendation for keeping writing specific / concrete

My job requires formal writing, however after self-review, I found that my writing does not have enough substance. This was confirmed as feedback from higher-ups implied that I use too many phrasal verbs or have a tendency to over-write things using…
Arash Howaida
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Urban erotica and authors

What are some good examples of urban erotica? I am looking for a less explicit version of 9 and half weeks. The reason for my interest is that I am very interested to take apart the elements of what we call 'chemistry'. It has been a mystery to me…
Victor123
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Grammar books recommendation

I am learning to write better, and have read books such as The Lively art of writing and Element of Style. I realize what I am missing is the grammar books that teaches me the different ways to construct a grammatical sentence with style. Is there…
drhanlau
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Good book on writing for children?

I've dabbled with the thought of writing a childrens book. It allows my mind to go all out weird, and I believe they are ususally short enough for me to see the project through. But, as usual, I like reading about stuff more than actually do the…
erikric
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I’m looking for a writing guide that suits me better

Encounters: Essays for Exploration and Inquiry is a writing guide that provides all kinds of essays for reference. Unfortunately, it has been out of print, which is why I came here asking for a similarly organized guidebook. Here is the introduction…
Yuhang Ma
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