Not entirely sure if I'm posting this in the right place, as it refers to Mr Gaiman's blog of today - he's wondering about the best advice he ever received from a writer - and it got me thinking. There are myriad 'how to' books about writing out there, and I've read a few, but would only recommend two - for prose, Stephen King's 'On Writing - A Memoir of the Craft,' because it is coherent, concise, and suffers no illusions about the reality of getting published; and, for poetry 'The Ode Less Travelled' by Stephen Fry - if you're serious about exploring structure and experimenting with different forms, then this book is perfect - for anyone who wants to know the difference between a villainelle and a rondeau redouble, a sestina and a pontoon. Personally, the best advice I ever received from another writer came from my friend and mentor, Carlo Gebler (Edna O'Brien's son): 'There's a writing muscle in your head, and it will atrophy if you don't exercise it regularly - but if you do, it can only grow stronger,' (or words to that effect). That and the directive to write (at least) a thousand words a day, every day - which I don't adhere to, though I did when writing my novel, and completed the first draft in this fashion in just over 3 months - really, the two pieces of advice amount to the same thing - if you're serious about being a writer, then you have to discipline yourself and write - and, naturally, read a lot too.

You're right - King's "On Writing" is a must-read for any writer. I took his advice and I can see the difference.

My only problem is finding to the time to do the actual writing.

Thanks for that, I thought I was on my own - and I know precisely what you mean - I haven't gotten my arse gear and written anything new in months. Gawd. I think my muse has packed up and gone back up the mountain. Can't say that I blame her - I sometimes wish that I could just to the same.

On Writing refers back to The Elements of Style, which is getting a bit dated but still good.

King's introductions and commentaries are often about his process, variations of "I make up stories for a living! How weird/cool/freaky is that?" One line stuck with me, about how a writer reads everything with either grinding envy or weary contempt.

Yeah, ON WRITING.

I remembered making a decision after finishing that book, to start getting on my ass and writing. I did, and shortly after I was published. That's the thing about this book, it isn't just about the intricacies of the craft, it isn't just about the mechanics of writing, it actually gets people writing and it empowers them. That's why I think this book should be a must read for all writers.

The Poetic Principle by E.A.Poe and Theory of Composition by the same.