My biggest trick to constant writing is to stay learning.
In 2018 I set out on a quest to read 60 books a year. While I clocked some numbers, it took me until 2020 to achieve that goal. Since then I’ve read at least a book a month in an effort to flood my brain with ideas. Ideas I can spew into my own writing.
I would recommend (with affiliate links) these 9 books to anyone trying to write better.
1 - The Art and Business of Online Writing: How to Beat the Game of Capturing and Keeping Attention - Nicolas Cole
Nicolas Cole gave us a book that provides a clear guide to online writing.
There are concise examples you can act on. There is context on how to approach online writing so you can win the game. He showed me I need to focus on social spaces for feedback because D.R.E.A.M. (Data Rules Everything Around Me).
If you want to create a business around writing, read this.
2 -The Art of Seduction - Robert Greene
Everyone knows The 48 Laws of Power but I don’t think they understand it.
The laws of power are defensive plays. The Art of Seduction is really where you learn to manipulate people. It helped me understand the tactics of seducing new audiences that are best suited to my personality.
If you want to seduce better, read this.
3 - Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability - Steven Krug
This book is about good web design.
When your design does its job the way it’s supposed to, the user won’t have to think about their choices. The design will gently guide them where you want them to click. In the same way a good article will let your reader glide along your points gracefully.
If you also want to get help simplifying content, read this.
4 - Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die - Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Should you only read one book on this list, it should be Made to Stick.
This book covers the concept of sticky ideas. It gives you a framework for what drives virality based on what actually “sticks” with us. It showed me I need to take my art and make it clear enough to digest at once.
If you want your message to spread, read this.
5 - Outliers: The Story of Success - Malcolm Gladwell
This book is the driving force behind 10’000 hours of practice to perfection.
Malcolm uses a bunch of case studies to show how it’s the people who put the most work in that win in life. It taught me that daily practice is the differentiator. Outliers will help you get over the myth of natural talent being relevant.
If you need help believing in your skills, read this.
6 - Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are - Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
Despite what people say, their search history reveals their lies.
The book’s focus is big data. By analyzing the available data provided from companies with giant search volume he was able to make some interesting, and feisty, societal conclusions. It’s a good 101-tier book for people who want to understand how companies learn about us.
If you want to see how you can spy on the world, read this.
7 - The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google - Scott Galloway
This book provides a blunt perspective on how business really works.
Scott gives us nuggets like wearing Apple tech is modern day peacocking and it helped me see what company branding is about. You’ll learn how these behemoth companies took over and created moats. The simple ways he explains their value will help you discover your own focus.
If you want to know how to brand yourself better, read this.
8 - Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming - Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway
Propaganda is a very powerful tool.
If you ever doubted the power of writing, I encourage you to read Merchants of Doubt. This book follows propaganda campaigns around topics like smoking. It proved to me that good storytelling mixed with nepotism can literally change the world.
If you want to see the dark power of the pen, read this.
9 - How Music Works - David Byrne
This book covers music on every level you can think of.
It brings to light some profound truths like how music is composed for the room it will be performed in. He goes over how audiences choose music and how people join cultures. While it’s not online writing, the concepts he covers will teach anyone how to be more audience centric.
If you need help thinking like your fans, read this.
Let me know if you end up reading anything off this list. Recommend me your favourites.
Live Long and Prosper Everyone.