Writing takes talent; of course, it does.  But it also is very much a discipline that can be learned and honed.  Writing has rules, and it is essential to learn them so well that you can then forget them; like how to ride a bike or drive a car.  Malcolm Gladwell suggests that it takes about 10,000 hours to become expert in everything from ice hockey to molecular chemistry.  Writing is no exception.  It takes both time and daily practice to become a confident writer, as it does to pursue any creative endeavor beyond the beginner level.

In my ongoing pursuit to master the craft of writing, I know that the most important thing I can do is write a ton.  Then rewrite.  And rewrite some more. Then back to the blank page.  Writers write.  But writers should also read and read voraciously too.  As I’ve explored genres as different as food and travel writing, academic, and fiction, I’ve turned to the generous canon of literature on writing.  There is no way to list every book, podcast, and tool I’ve devoured along the way, and nor would you want me to. The recommendations listed below are those to which I turn again and again for insight and inspiration.