There’s a huge learning curve when it comes to crafting your first novel. Fortunately, there are numerous resources out there to help you refine your craft. Here are of my favorites; I hope you find them helpful.
The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi is a wonderful tool for creating authentic character emotions. In this book, you can search for words like “joy” and “anger” and find various ideas for how to portray said emotion in your character’s movements, expressions, and mannerisms. This is especially useful for deepening character development and making emotional moments resonate. I’d check out this book if you struggle with integrating body language and want to add depth to your dialogue.
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody breaks story structure down into a clear, approachable system. Adapted from the well-known screenwriting method, this book outlines key story “beats” that successful novels follow, helping writers craft a well-paced narrative. This book includes various helpful worksheets to assist you with your writing and revising process, including one of my personal favorites: “Is Your Hero Hero-Worthy?”
Point of View by Sandra Gerth examines the nuances of point of view (first, second, third, and omniscient), offering practical tips for choosing the right one and maintaining consistency. She helps writers understand how each point of view affects narrative distance, character connection, and reader immersion. This book provides accessible explanations for controlling how close readers feel to a character’s inner world—and why that closeness matters.
Whether you want to deepen emotional impact, strengthen structure, or sharpen your storytelling, these resources offer helpful guidance to elevate your writing and help you succeed.
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