Every craftsman needs quality tools to be the best at what he does. The same holds true for artists of any genre, including writers.
Some of the most useful books I've found and have seen recommended on many writer sites are listed below. They can all be found quite reasonably on Amazon or many used bookstores online. There are countless others, but these will get you started.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King. Written by a pair of editors, this handy reference book takes your rough draft to the next several levels, telling you what to look for as you try to edit your own work. More than a grammar or punctuation checker, this book teaches you how to spot weak places in your plot, how to ramp up tension, how to spot overused words or phrases. Most agents and editors recommend this book and so do I.
Writing the Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass. Donald Maass has been a top literary agent for over a decade and this book is the gold standard among writers. He clearly explains the techniques and characteristics that separate a fairly good novel from a breakout hit. A must-have for any serious fiction author.
Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell. More information and helpful exercises than you can probably ever used, but Bell packs this book with useful tips on everything from finding ideas to story arcs.
There are too many helpful books to list, but these three sit handily on the shelf beside my computer and I refer to them often. The best way to decide which books you should invest in is to visit respected writer sites or blogs by agents and editors. Most will list their favorite books for writers. The ones mentioned on site after site are tried and true and you can safely assume they are what you need.
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