   recommend a how-to-write book
  Why don't we all recommend a favorite one or few books which teach something having to do with writing?  Maybe if I get some good recommendations I will redo the writing inspiration sticky to include them.Let's see, I'll start by recommending _Dramatica: A New Theory of Story_ It provides an interesting structural perspective on what a story is, and also it's available free online. [smile]   
  Story: Substance, Structure, style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKeehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060391685/104-8196122-4914326?v=glance&n=283155I've seen too many stories which just didn't grasp the basic dramatic fundamentals; this is an excellent starting point.   ;  Yeah that's a good one, I've got it on my bookshelf and there's a ton of stuff in it, it covers pretty much all the basics.  Clickified the url:Story: Substance, Structure, style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee;  J. M. Straczynski's book on screenwriting is a good read. He worked on a lot of US TV -- from "Murder, She Wrote" to animation, as well as "Babylon 5" -- so there's a lot of good stuff in there about the craft side.He does have his flaws as a writer, but the book focuses mainly on scriptwriting and the craft skills you need to build up in order to do it.Why a screenwriting book? Because a lot of writing for games involves writing scripts and dialogue. Straczyinski's experience with animation is particularly pertinent as, like animation, games often record vocal talent before the visuals and interactivity are fully implemented.Linky. (Looks like he's revised it since I bought my copy back in 1999. I have the 1981 text in mine.);  he has also some pretty famous comic books under his belt, like the "Rising Stars" and "Midnight Nation". But I have an awful feeling that Straczinsky is a White Wolf universe RolePlayer who suddendly found himself with quite a lot on his plate and re-used his old games and transformed them into comic books. You won't get it out of my head that Rising Stars (which I consider to be at the origin of "the 4400" TV series) doesn't come from White Wolf's super-hero game (I can't find the name, right now...) and that Midnight Nation isn't a rip off of Wraith...  But he is still quite good, and always willing to integrate some old myths or religious beliefs in his innovative writings. I just can't stop thinking of "ssellah", when I think of him. And of his 9/11 black book comic book. He is just SOOOO good at what he does...   ;The Elements of styleThe most important writing book ever writed... err... writered... writ.  But I'm no writist :)Edit: Free online version;  Gaah, I hate that book.  But lots of people swear by it, so I can't deny that it's important.   ;Quote:Original post by sunandshadowGaah, I hate that book.  But lots of people swear by it, so I can't deny that it's important.What exactly do you dislike about Elements of style?I enjoyed, and found very helpful, Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game anyone?) as well as Making Shapely Fiction by Jerome Stern.;  _Elements of style_ is a book which just lays down rules and says this is the right way, the only way.  It's prescriptive rather than descriptive.  I can't stand inflexible dogma of any kind, it disrespects my ability to use my own judgement and decide something different is better.   ;Quote:Original post by sunandshadow_Elements of style_ is a book which just lays down rules and says this is the right way, the only way.  It's prescriptive rather than descriptive.  I can't stand inflexible dogma of any kind, it disrespects my ability to use my own judgement and decide something different is better.Let me quote Elements of style itself in retort:  It is an old observation that the best writers sometimes disregard the rules of rhetoric. When they do so, however, the reader will usually find in the sentence some compensating merit, attained at the cost of the violation. Unless he is certain of doing as well, he will probably do best to follow the rules. After he has learned, by their guidance, to write plain English adequate for everyday uses, let him look, for the secrets of style, to the study of the masters of literature.It makes no claim that its rules are final, merely asserting that it would be best for those who don't know what they're doing to follow them. While I don't entirely disagree with your opinion—I too dislike inflexible dogma—I don't believe that you should ignore what it says.Most of what it says rings true with me.   