If you're serious about writing, read as much as you can. My second tip is to write as much as you can, then push yourself and write even more. If you don't read, you'll never be a good judge of excellence, and you'll never know what you like. Write what you enjoy reading. Don't write what you think will sell--write what you love and what is on your heart. Here is my Top Ten list of writing books:
Stein on Writing, by Sol Stein
Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell
Word Painting, by Rebecca McClanahan
Writing the Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by R. Brown & D. King
GMC - Goal, Motivation & Conflict, by Debra Dixon
Getting into Character, by Brandilyn Collins
The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel, by Penelope J. Stokes
Building Believable Characters, by Marc McCutcheon
