It’s an interesting feeling, realising you’ve progressed past the ‘how to’ writing books on your shelf. Those books that explain what point of view is and the difference between plotting and pantsing. Deciding to write a novel recently, I pulled down a few of these long-forgotten tomes and found they couldn’t help me. Not anymore. There are however books that can. Now it is the writer stories, a long form look at their process and past that can give me insight into my own creative drive. Right now, I’m reading Stephen King On Writing. Earlier this year it was The Invention of Angela Carter. Previously Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing and Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird.

These are my top four books on writing for non-beginners. Not only do they provide inspiring, motivational and empathetic insights into the craft of writing but also into the lives of some truly brilliant writers. Read, write and be merry.