Top 4 Books on Writing (Plus A Shameless Self-Promo 😍)

Zibusiso Ngulube
3 min readOct 9, 2023

Learning from ones who’ve gone before you…

That’s the secret to mastering any craft.

That includes writing.

If you want to know how to write a book, learn from the ones who’ve written books and succeeded.

If you want to master the art of blogging, learn from bloggers who are killing it.

Today, I will share the top 5 books that will help you develop your writing skills and turn into a pro.

Note: you have to do the work to get the results you want. That means reading and applying what’s written in these books…

Okay…here are the top 5 books on writing that you should read. (You can pick one, two, three, or all of them…it’s up to you)

1. On Writing by Stephen King

“Put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn’t in the middle of the room. Life isn’t a support system for art. It’s the other way around.”

– Stephen King, On Writing

This is by far the best book to read as an aspiring writer. Written by one of the prominent bestselling authors, Stephen King. You can never go wrong.

2. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

“If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), “Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?” chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.”

-Stephen Pressfield, The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle”

One thing that makes this book great is that Pressfield focuses more on the main obstacle that keeps aspiring writers from writing. He helps you realize why you are failing to write and inspires you to start writing. This book inspired me to write my first book 😍 and I’m eternally grateful. I highly recommend it.

3. On Writing Well by William Zinsser

“the secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components.”

-William Zinsser, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing NonFiction

On Writing Well is popular for its sound advice, clarity, and the warmth of its style. If you want to learn how to write or you need to do some writing to get through the day, this is your book.

4. The Elements of Style by Willian Strunk Jr.

“Writers will often find themselves steering by stars that are disturbingly in motion.”

-William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style

Read The Elements of Style to master the American English writing style, grammar, and usage. This guide comprises eight “elementary rules of usage”, ten “elementary principles of composition”, a list of 49 words and expressions commonly misused, and so much more.

Shameless Self-Promo 😍

5. WRITE: Your Ultimate Journey to Becoming a Professional Writer (Writing Tips and Resources for Upcoming Writers) by Zibusiso Ngulube

“Your mind influences your actions and you only act on what you believe. So, if you believe you can write, your mind will work tirelessly to ensure you become the expert writer you want to be.”

-Zibusiso Ngulube, WRITE: Your Ultimate Journey to Becoming a Professional Writer

Okay, this is the first book I wrote after reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and getting some encouragement from my writing coach.

It focuses on helping upcoming writers realize their passion and monetize their writing skills.

There are tips to help you identify your niche, write quality content that attracts your target audience, and create multiple income streams from your skill. You’ll have access to resources that will help you continue to create valuable content that converts readers to customers and ensure passive income.

Check it out and I’ll be eternally grateful 

Happy Writing!

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