4 Books You Need To Read To Be A Better Blogger

A lot of different factors go into being a good blogger. You have to enjoy storytelling, know your craft, and understand how to communicate ideas clearly. It also helps if you are the slightest bit interesting while doing the previous things. I mean, you can be as boring as a bag of sand, but I’m not advocating that strategy. One crucial aspect that I’ve touched on before is that reading truly helps craft you into a better blogger.

In the past I focused on showing why reading fiction was important, but I’m going to branch off from that here. I’ve been asked for actionable steps that can help you be a better blogger, so here you go. I don’t know how to get more actionable than this: read these 4 books, absorb the information and you will be a better blogger. You’re welcome. 4 Books To Read To Become A Better Blogger

(Disclaimer – All the following links are Amazon Affiliate links)

On Writing (Stephen King) – Some of you may not be fans of Mr. King’s and this isn’t a post where I’m going to try and change your mind. This book is neither scary nor is it fiction. On Writing is probably, hands down, one of the best books on the craft of writing I’ve read in my entire life. I know college-level writing classes that use it as the textbook and I revisit at least once a year to refresh myself on the ways to create engaging stories. King not only gives a mini-biography of himself as a writer but deconstructs what it means to write and write well.
Bird by Bird (Anne Lamott) – This is another one of those feared “books on writing” but like On Writing, Bird By Bird is an extremely fascinating read. Lamott is hilarious and has a particular way of telling stories that easily draw you in and before you know it, you’ve learned something. That’s quite a handy skill for any blogger to strive to acquire. This is another book I highly suggest reading more than once.
Me Talk Pretty One Day (David Sedaris) – Honestly, I would suggest reading everything written by David Sedaris, but if you’re only going to choose one, Me Talk Pretty One Day is my favorite. Sedaris is a natural storyteller and if you’re paying attention to how he writes, you can pick up a LOT of tips on how to structure well-told stories. Most of his anecdotes also have deeper social meanings as well, which is a skill that takes considerable practice even though Sedaris makes it look easy. You should be opening yourself up to your audience and letting them see you for who you are, embarrassing moments and all.
The Mayor’s Tongue (Nathaniel Rich) – This one’s fiction and probably a book that no one has heard of, let alone read. It’s amazing breakdown of the importance and power of story. There are a couple of storylines going on and to watch how they intertwine and come to similar outcomes is breathtaking. Imagination and story of some of the most powerful weapons we have and if you learn how to control and use those weapons, you can be extremely powerful.

Bonus Book: Mr. Peanut (Adam Ross) – This is another one of those pesky fiction books, but if you want to watch truly epic storytelling unfold in classic Hitchcock-ian fashion, this is a book you should check out. It blurs the lines between fiction and reality and then hits you right between the eyes like a boxing glove full of bricks when it wraps up at the end. I added this to the list as a bonus because it deals with more adult issues and isn’t as lighthearted as The Mayor’s Tongue but also shows the power of story.

Alright, there you go, my choices for 4 (5) books to read to become a better blogger. What books would you add to the list? Have you been inspired to greatness by some unorthodox books? What were they?

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Judy Dunn

Joey,

Thanks for this list. I have most of them on my shelf, except for "The Mayor's Tongue," which I am going to have to get if YOU recommend it. : )

Another absolutely astounding author and writing instructor is Natalie Goldberg. I purchased every one of her books, starting with "Writing Down the Bones, " which has sold well over 1 million copies. She just has a way of beautifully weaving fiction techniques and storytelling with the things she wants to teach us about writing. She has greatly influenced by own writing.

Some of her other titles are "Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life," "Long Quiet Highway," and "Thunder and Lightning: Cracking Open the Writer's Craft." She also studied for years with a Zen master so brings some of the beauty of that great religion to her writing.

Okay, I guess you got me going here. : )

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Erica Allison

Good morning, Joey! Nice list, esp since I've hit 2 out of your 4 (5). LOVE Anne Lamott and Dave Sedaris (he's a NC boy, you know). Other favs of mine who I think are powerful storytellers and hey, they also happen to be North Carolinians: Lee Smith (she writes southern fiction like Lucinda Williams writes southern songs) and Ron Rash (Western Carolina Univ professor and awesome fiction writer as well). Rash writes about places you know, usually upstate SC or Western NC and as was the case with his last book that I read, Serena, left me dwelling on it for not just days, but weeks. Lee Smith writes about people you know, or at least feel like you know.

I think all of that translates into great blogging techniques as well: make it relatable and familiar so that the reader doesn't feel like they've wandered into a strange new world, even if what you're writing about as the blogger is a bit new to them or a new idea. The reader should feel comfortable absorbing the ideas. You, my friend, do that in spades.

Have an awesome Thursday! I know you will!

Joey Strawn

Wow, Natalie sounds great and I'm probably going to have to check her out now. Thanks for the suggestion!

I don't think you'll be disappointed with The Mayor's Tongue, especially with how much you like story-telling and the importance of words, etc. I think you'll dive right into it.

: )

john Falchetto

Hey Joey,

I read King's book but didn't know about the other ones. Thanks for these. I think Fiction reading is important if not crucial for good blogging. I am getting back into it. I have been reading too many non-fiction for the past years and although they bring some great information they often lack in their delivery.

It's not always what you say but how you say it.
Cheer Joey

Hey John,

Thanks for the comment. I agree totally about reading fiction. Definitely check out some of the others on the list, but King's is amazing.

Cheers!

Gini Dietrich

I'm with John - and that's exactly what I was going to comment. Fiction allows you to think creatively and stay out of the echo chamber. My opinion is it doesn't matter what you read, as long as it's fiction.

Gini, I'm with you, but you already knew that. : )

Keith Davis

Hi Joey
Thought that you might have had..

"On writing well" by William Zinsser.

Like you with "On Writing", I read this book at least once a year.

Might try out your recommendations.

I'll be honest, Kieth. I struggled about whether or not to add that one. I'm a HUGE fan of Zissner's book, but wanted to have a healthy mix of books "about writing" and ones that branch out from that and in the end, William didn't make the cut. I would heavily recommend On Writing Well to anyone who writes anything, ever.

Thanks for bringing it to light! : )

Erica, thanks for the suggested additions. I actually haven't heard of them and will have to look into them today, but the themes you bring up are vital. Relating to places and people will easily up your game as a blogger.

Thanks!

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May 30, 2011 at 10:44 pm

[...] if you don’t read. The single best way to strengthen your writing skills is to log off and read some books. You know, real books that have gone through the tried-and-true process of agents, editors, and [...]