Igniting the spark

I would suggest a subscription to Writing magazine or Writer's News.

Personally, I don't trust "How To" books and I've read alot of them.

The book that got me into writing was the "The Writer's Handbook". If it wasn't for that, I don't think I would have tried submitting anything.

Also, George Orwell wrote some good essays on writing
and many swear by his 5 rules of effective writing.

Congrats that kid!

He might find Stephen King's On Writing interesting, Pesky : http://www.stephenking.com/library/nonfiction/on_writing:_a_memoir_of_th...

I haven't read it myself, but have heard and read quite a few positive reviews.

http://www.ukauthors.com

Tell him to ask his dad! he won't do much better and dads are cheaper than books!

Some good suggestions there. I have the Orwell essays, which my son has also read, and Stephen King's On Writing audiobook is on my phone and netbook, but as I've bored young pesky to tears with how good it is I feel I have to offer something different.

Geoffrey, he's sick of the sound of my voice.

Here's what I'm looking at for him at the moment -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Fiction-Notes-Craft-Writers/dp/0679734031/re...

thanks everyone.

Hey, pesky.
Why don't you just let him follow you.
He can learn a lot from your good self
Send him to abctales for starters.

If he's into poetry, try 'The Ode Less Travelled' by Stephen Fry.

Helvigo Jenkins

Hi scozen. Although he's met many ABCers in London and the big chief in Edinburgh, he's not ready to post anything here yet, or so he says. Keep an eye out for someone who writes in stronger dialect than me.

Hi Helvigo, that's a good one I'd forgotten all about. Might add that to my own wish list. Cheers.

Hi op, I'll put my penny in for what it's worth. I would say that your son's old man is a pretty good writer and guide, although advice isn't always that well-received from one's own parents. Other than that I think the best advice is to read wisely and widely. Good writers of good books would be my recommendation, they will teach you all you need to know about writing. Study good models and try to understand how the author achieves his effects. They will always be the best 'how-to' books.

On said books themselves there are very few I'd be inclined to recommend, but Stephen King's 'On Writing' is a fabulous book, full of good sense, help and inspiration. I think someone here has already recommended it so I will gladly endorse that choice.

Other than that it's just a matter of reading and writing and doing, probably the same as you, op. I would say if your boy gets anywhere near your standard he will be doing pretty well for himself.

Hope this helps.

Trev

Hi Trev, your penny is worth its weight in gold around these parts. Like I said earlier, Stephen King has been a constant companion of mine during the last year and has helped considerably (He'll kill me for adding that adverb).

I'm hoping my son gets the writing bug and becomes much much better than me, so I can retire on his royalties.

I think your chances of doing that are very good, op. SK has been mine for many years, too. Best regards.

Trev

Aside from the Stephen King book, On Writing, which is excellent, my favorite book on writing is A Writer's Workbook (Daily Exercises for the Writing Life) by Caroline Sharp. It's filled with a lot of useful and creative ideas.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Writers-Workbook-Daily-Exercises-Writing/dp/0312...

I hope this helped, Kevin.

Rich

Thanks for that, Rich. I'll have a wee look.

Writing Down the Bones is the best book for learning about writing. simple to read and understand and has challenges in it to work one while you read. Its by Natalie Goldberg. really excellent.

Hi cormacru, funnily enough I gave someone in my class a loan of Writing Down the Bones earlier this year and never got it back. Come to think of it, David Lodge's The Art of Fiction also went missing at the same time. Some people, eh?

I still have my copy. I'd loan it to you, but you can't seem to keep track of your things. lol.

Rich

Hi Rich. I know how litigious you americans are (not that I'm stereotyping for comic effect). So if I were to lose your $10 book then the psychological trauma such a loss might cause you could end up with me owing you $1,000,000 compensation. With that in mind let me take this opportunity to thank you for not loaning me the book. You're a true gentleman and friend.

You're welcome, Kevin. I could give you my cell number and you could call me at will and I will recite to you the passages of your choice.

Your devoted fan, gentleman and friend.

Rich

Well I've found Ursula Le Guin's 'Steering the Craft' very good - covers the standard rules and then discusses how they can be broken. Not too long or wordy either and, although she's coming from a SF background, it's not rooted in that genre.

Rob

If he's a complete beginner I recommend -

How NOT to Write a Novel: 200 Mistakes to avoid at All Costs if You Ever Want to Get Published by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman. -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-NOT-Write-Novel-Published/dp/0141038543

It's a very funny read and not too heavy.