Maureen Lang

Most of us who want to write have been inspired at one point or another by stories. Something we've read has either made us want to create our own version to touch others in a similar way, or we've said: "I could write a story like this!" Maybe we've thought both.

So we decide to write.

However, writing is one of the few endeavors people try conquering with little or no training. But just because one can speak, read and write in any given language doesn't mean one can succinctly, precisely and cleverly convey a story. When starting out as a writer, hopefully you’ll try attending as many writers’ conferences as you can comfortably afford, to learn the craft and lay the foundation of your network.

But first devour as many How-To books as you can. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Stein On Writing Sol Stein
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers Renni Browne and Dave King
• Art and Fear David Bayles and Ted Orland
• Elements of Style Strunk and White
• Bird by Bird Anne Lamott
• Plot and Structure James Scott Bell
• Between the Lines Jessica Page Morrell