One of the questions I get asked by a lot of aspiring authors is, “What books should I read to learn how to start writing a novel?” I get asked this question so often that I decided to turn my answer into a podcast episode!

Tune in to this episode to hear my take on the 5 best writing books that have had the biggest impact on me and the authors I work with. I’ll share what the books are, why I like them, and what kind of writer they’d be best for.

In other words, you’ll hear me talk about:

• [02:03] My favorite book for character creation—one that helps you dig deep into your character’s backstory to understand who they are and how they’ll show up on the page
• [05:28] The first book that really made things click for me, including things like how to write a well-structured scene and the importance of genre
• [08:23] One of the best books on plotting a novel that includes beat-by-beat breakdowns of ten different stories—yep, I’m talking about Save the Cat!
• [10:53] The only book I know of that breaks down an entire story on a scene-by-scene basis and shows you how every single part of the story works
• [15:09] A book that really changed the way I think about a story’s midpoint—not only what a midpoint is, but why it’s so important to the overall narrative

If you’re looking for another craft book to add to your TBR pile (that can also make you a better writer), you’re going to love this episode!

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🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Savannah Gilbo on Instagram
• Story Genius by Lisa Cron
• The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne
• Save the Cat! Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody
• Write Your Novel From The Middle by James Scott Bell
• The Story Grid Masterwork Guide to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by Savannah Gilbo

Ready to make 2026 the year you finally finish your novel? Notes to Novel is my signature program that walks you through brainstorming, outlining, and writing a first draft that works—so you always know what to do next. Click here to get on the waitlist →

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