(September 1st is close enough to Halloween to have some hellish background and foreground props. Here's hoping that my supposed replica of a Jack the Ripper hand written note and my spirits board cheese plate don't summon any ghosties or demons up in my bedroom. It's been pleasantly quiet for some time.)
I've always been a firm believer that every book has its teachable moments for writers. A book doesn't necessarily have to be a "How To: On the Ins and Outs of Writing."
In fact, some of the more bizarre books I've been drawn to over the decades have rewarded my writer's brain or mind, more than the "How To's" could ever hope to. As you can see in the pictures I am a bit of a collector of odd books. They are perfect for story starters. The weirder the better, sometimes.
The exact amount of books I own on writing or for writing purposes has not been tallied as of yet, but these are ones that I know I used at one point or another because a number of the pages are dog-eared. Oh how I would love to tell you that I have read every single page in these books, but that would be a very big lie. And I am not a liar. I've only technically lied to my parents in my early 20s to keep them from being disappointed or ashamed of me. But really, who hasn't? Otherwise, I'm nun-like...well nun-ish...fine the closest that I come to being a nun is that the name I go by starts with an "N".
As long as I have been interested in writing, I have always been a habitual skimmer. One day I will finish a book that pertains to writing and that will be Stephen King's: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. I have had this book for years. And really enjoyed parts of it, but still...skimming is just who I am now apparently.
This list will continue to grow as there are many other books I have that I will add to this collection. Feel free to drop down in the comments some of your own favorite "How To" titles along with your white elephant of sorts picks.