Summary of "I Read The 3 Best Books On Writing (So You Don't Have To) and Here's What I Learned"

Summary of Key Ideas and Lessons from I Read The 3 Best Books On Writing (So You Don’t Have To) and Here’s What I Learned

The video reviews and synthesizes insights from three highly recommended writing books, highlighting their unique approaches and key lessons for writers. The host emphasizes that these books not only teach craft but also inspire and motivate writers to maintain their writing routines.

Main Ideas and Concepts

General Observations About Writing Books

Writing books often focus on different aspects:
- Wordcraft and style (turn of phrase)
- Story structure, character development, and setting
- The writer’s life and motivation (the “why” behind writing)
Good writing books inspire you to write, not just teach technical skills.
Reading widely helps writers subconsciously learn what works and what doesn’t in storytelling.
Writing is a process of trial, error, and revision; even great writers face discouragement and failure.

Book 1: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Format: Half memoir, half writing advice.
Key Lessons:
- Reading is essential for writers to learn storytelling techniques.
- Inspiration can come from combining unrelated ideas.
- Writing first drafts is about telling the story to yourself without worrying about others.
- The first draft is hard and requires dedication; editing comes later.
- Writing consists of three parts: narration (moves story), description (builds reality), dialogue (brings characters to life).
- King writes as a “pantser” (no detailed plotting), but plotting is fine if it works for you.
- Theme should be discovered after the story is planned.
- Introduces the concept of the “ideal reader” — an imagined perfect audience to guide decisions.
- Revising: Second draft should be the first draft minus 10%. Take a break (about 6 weeks) before editing to return with fresh eyes.
- Editing focuses on cutting unnecessary parts and aligning the story with its theme.
Inspirational Element: King’s honesty about struggles and persistence encourages writers to keep going.

Book 2: Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

Focus: A detailed, structured plot framework adapted from screenwriting.
Key Features:
- Divides stories into 3 acts, 6 sections, and 15 plot beats.
- Includes pacing guidelines tied to page numbers and percentages.
- Useful for writers who want a clear, direct blueprint for plotting.
Criticism:
- The book is lengthy (300+ pages) and contains many genre-specific examples, which may be less useful for writers focused on one genre.
- Feels more like a sales pitch for the Save the Cat method than a comprehensive writing guide.
Best Use: Writers comfortable with craft but needing a structured approach to plot planning.

Book 3: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Focus: Practical advice on both the craft of writing and the writer’s life.
Key Lessons:
- Establish a daily writing routine to train creative focus.
- Break large projects into manageable parts (e.g., writing one scene at a time).
- Starting with smaller works (short stories, novellas) is a good way to practice storytelling fundamentals.
- First drafts are inevitably imperfect; embrace the “proto draft” concept (an even rougher initial draft).
- Characters are the foundation of story; plot should emerge from character actions.
- Dialogue should be realistic and distinct for each character; read dialogue aloud and observe real conversations.
- Characters must have unique perspectives, fears, and reactions to avoid boring, uniform responses.
- Character development continues through multiple drafts.
Style and Tone: Warm, humorous, and encouraging; the book feels like advice from a trusted friend.
Inspirational Element: Lamott’s style motivates writers to write simply and authentically.

Overall Lessons and Methodologies

From King:
- Read widely and analyze stories.
- Write first drafts for yourself; edit for others later.
- Use the ideal reader as a guide.
- Take breaks before revising.
- Cut at least 10% in revision.
From Brody:
- Use the Save the Cat plot beats to structure your story.
- Plan pacing carefully.
- Employ note cards to visualize plot structure.
From Lamott:
- Write regularly, even if progress is slow.
- Break big projects into smaller tasks.
- Develop characters deeply; let them drive the plot.
- Read dialogue aloud and observe real speech.
- Accept imperfect first drafts and revise iteratively.

Speakers/Sources Featured

Host/Narrator: The YouTube channel creator who read and summarized the books.
Stephen King: Author of On Writing.
Jessica Brody: Author of Save the Cat Writes a Novel.
Anne Lamott: Author of Bird by Bird.

This video provides a balanced overview of three influential writing books, helping writers choose resources that match their needs—whether inspiration, structure, or craft—and encourages persistent, thoughtful writing practice.