Skip to main content

Helpful Resources for Creative Writing Students

OWL logo

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.



Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.


On Writing

The Artist's Way

The Artist's Way (1992)

Julia Cameron

“A course in discovering and recovering your creative self”

The Writing Life

The Writing Life (1989)

Annie Dillard

“Illuminates the dedication, absurdity, and daring that characterize the existence of a writer”

Big Magic

Big Magic (2016)

Elizabeth Gilbert

“Offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration”

Writing Down the Bones

Writing Down the Bones (1986)

Natalie Goldberg

“Short, easy-to-read chapters offering suggestions, encouragements, and solid advice on many aspects of the writer’s craft”

On Writing

On Writing (2000)

Stephen King

“Part memoir, part master class—a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft”

Bird by Bird

Bird by Bird (1995)

Anne Lamott

“Hilarious, big-hearted, homespun advice about writing for scribes and scribblers of all ages and abilities”

For additional resources for creative writing, click here.