The best aspect of being a writer, for me, is that there is always an opportunity to learn more about yourself and the craft of writing. The journey is a continuous one and even the bestselling authors will admit to gaining information from numerous sources to improve some aspect of their writing, whether it be a character or story development. The number one thing any writer can do is read. Reading every day not only teaches us about our preferred genre, but also widens our language skills. Another benefit of reading is that you get to step into another person's shoes as you enter the mind of the character in the book. With Christmas fast approaching and as I make my Wishlist of the novels I intend to read in the New Year, I thought I would share my top seven reads of 2018 and why, as a writer, they are perfect.  

Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed. A great book for any writer that struggles with self-belief in their abilities, and procrastinates taking action for fear of failure. Using examples from industry professionals, this well-written book highlights how you can learn from your mistakes and become a better person from them. There are interviews with successful celebrities and entrepreneurs, who reveal that their success was not just down to their talent but the attitude and mindset they had to failure and obstacles. By learning to accept, learn, then move on from rejection, you will become more successful as a writer and person. 

 The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Using detailed research and case studies, this book focuses on the different personality traits between introverts and extroverts, and how they use different techniques to communicate the same message. It also helps introverts gain better confidence in social settings, and a healthy belief in themselves and their abilities.  As most writers tend to be introverts, this is a must-read if you are planning on marketing your book and attending networking events.  

 The Cambridge Companion to Creative Writing by David Morley. A must for any aspiring writer, as it teaches you the art of creative writing using a very easy to understand method. Written by professional writers, there are chapters dealing with different genres, from novels to poetry and media. There are also exercises in each chapter for you to chart your progress. 

 On Writing by Stephen King. This is a part autobiography and part the writing process he uses when he is beginning a new novel. This insightful book is a writer's guide from one of the best fiction writers of today. The remarkable thing about his method of plotting a novel is that he doesn't. As a strong advocate of planning my writing projects in detail, it is fascinating how he can achieve such great works without any preparation.

 How to Make a Living from Your Writing by Joanna Penn. This is a no-nonsense guide to earning money from your writing in easy to achieve, bite-size pieces. There are also areas which focus on productivity and how to achieve the correct mindset. Then she reveals the step by step actions you need to take to put a novel together, from conception to enlisting the help of editors, proofreaders and other professionals. She also gives you food for thought concerning the multiple ways you can earn a living from writing, not just by selling novels. A really inspiring and motivational guide.