Before starting the search for intellectual and literary greatness (or goodness), it is necessary that the official author to learn some things that came before. Do not dwell on fantasy. Take time to read about how successful writers – regardless of gender or chosen medium – generating ideas and inspiration, process them, then bring to life on paper or on screen. The masters of painting often ask students to copy the old masters to learn the techniques that can only be so creative to build their own visions begin to emerge. The same strategy works wonders for the arts written in nature.

1. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou: Often cited as one of the great memories of America, know why the Caged Bird Sings tells the poet loved the sexual abuse, struggles with race and class divides, teen pregnancy, and as pure will, and carried by bibliophile. It ‘a testimony to the importance of strong character and a mind open to new ideas when writing.

2. Moveable Feast

Ernest Hemingway: sexy memories of Ernest Hemingway from the experiences of expatriates in Paris is the dream of a wine – oh, and also stands as one of the best looks at the Second World War before the cultural circles in Europe. Read about their interactions with the likes of Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, James Joyce, and (most famous) of F. Scott Fitzgerald, with whom he shared one of the most legendary road trips ever.

3. Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath I

by Sylvia Plath: never For a deep look at a troubled mind of the poet, be sure to read the newspapers without her husband Ted Hughes had to censorship before publication . Even readers who do not want to launch the careers of writing can still learn important lessons about the reality of mental illness (particularly bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety) and their frequent intersections with creativity.

4. Formidable Consuming

A genius formidable consuming job by Dave Eggers: In this Pulitzer-nominated, editor of Salon.com, McSweeney founder, and all around Renaissance literature man Dave Eggers decompresses the only thing that made the biggest impact on your life. In particular, the loss of both parents to cancer and the liquidation of the sole guardian of his younger brother when he was still a young man trying to figure out their lives.

5. The Life of Frederick Douglass

by Frederick Douglass: Frederick Douglass relations became a pillar of the undisputed abolitionist movement and solidified its status as an excellent speaker, writer and activist. In his game-changing publication that reflects the extremely inhumane conditions in which the slave owners forced the other and why we need to end.

6. JRR Tolkien: A Biography

by Humphrey Carpenter: Why is the Lord of the Rings loved from the author’s family authorized this biography, readers will learn about him interviews with family and friends, as well as personal notes and correspondence. Fans of literary history, with or without interest for the fantasy genre will appreciate the insight into the circle of the legendary Oxford Inklings, which included his time close friend of CS Lewis.

7. The Life and Death of Yukio Mishima

by Henry Scott Stokes: The rise of a private army to overthrow the emperor, probably not the best course of action for aspiring writers known, but that does not mean you can not find inspiration in the glamorous life, Yukio Mishima. Henry Scott Stokes was a good friend fundamental author, who probably gave him a look more balanced view of its nuances.

8. Confessions

by Augustine of Hippo: personal fouls and epiphanies led creative for almost as long as there was creative, but Confessions as there is usually the prime example. It is not necessary to be religious to understand (perhaps appreciate) the candor of the author and how his experiences led him to a rock star was theological.

9. Persepolis

by Marjane Satrapi: cartoonist Marjane Satrapi has worked his trauma of the Iranian revolution and the screens (sometimes subtle) discrimination and racism across Europe at the time the same tragic and funny graphics memory. Through his art and writing in the same way, inspiring others who have experienced the horrors of real (and not always historically) for comfort and to reveal the truth through the creation and destruction.

10. Tuesday with my old

by Mitch Albom: When the author has seen his former sociology professor Morrie Schwartz Nightline and learned about the their republic, who called him and revived his intellectual relationship. Man dies, finally assumed the role of mentor for the 14 meetings have shared before his death, influencing his former student, well beyond literature.

11. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

by Tom Wolfe: New Journalism of Tom Wolfe, a pioneer followed One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and author Ken MK participant’s Ultra Kesey and his band (The Merry Pranksters) in a psychedelic exploration of the United States and the drug subculture. The ingestion of various hallucinogenic substances do not necessarily look like the most legal of inspiration out there, but there is an option used by many developers anyway.

12. The Life of Samuel Johnson

by James Boswell: Often touted as a precursor of modern life – not to mention one of the greatest examples of all the weather like in English – this masterpiece of James Boswell cover the entire life of literary giant in the world with which he was familiar. So were his acute observations and the inclusions, the medical diagnosis contemporary Samuel Johnson ended the apparently irregular, eccentric behavior and Tourette syndrome.

13. Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas

by Gertrude Stein: Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas is really famous modernist and art patron Gertrude Stein, her lover instead of the same name, although his biography relay through this point of view. It covers all their time together, and gradually creative luminaries in and out of the house during one of the most fertile in Europe, the timing of birds.

14. Born Standing Up

by Steve Martin: Although, of course, better known as an actor and comedian Steve Martin certainly deserves recognition for his writings, both funny and not so funny. For him, self-expression allowed a tube that is worth the isolation he felt for their parents, the authors hope to continue their craft citing similar reasons may find it helpful to this story.

15. My years with Ayn Rand

by Nathaniel Branden: More or less everything anyone needs to know about this biography is right there in the title. Protects the objectivism of Ayn Rand founder lover (and the pioneer of self-esteem) flat on his troubled relationship. Today, Atlas Shrugged author remains a polarizing figure, and read here shines more light on what gives the human literature.

16. Excelsior!

by Stan Lee and George Mair: The other co-creator Spider-Man/X-Men/Avengers/countless should not be confused with the inventor of the comic, but his writing style stilted cheesy certainly. A great impact on popular culture. Learn everything about his life before, early career and the ultimate success here, even without regard to their talent for, uh, exaggerated.

17. Pimp: The Story of My Life

Iceberg Slim: At the age of 18, Iceberg Slim already established for himself a career of procuring and putting directly into the belly of the urban end has fueled its literature. Critics embraced literary fiction and nonfiction alike, believing that this is an accurate representation of an often overlooked, the atmosphere of the marginalized in serious need of help.

18. Diary Anais Nin

Anais Nin: With the same eloquence that his beloved science fiction erotica, Anais Nin prolonged magazines romantically reflect on the writings of DH Lawrence to his involvement with the famous Henry Miller and his wife June. However, your sensuality is in contradiction with an upset of open sexuality – it’s amazing when you consider his work.

19. Because this world: a biography of Clarice Lispector

Benjamin Moser : After reading the writings of the modernists themselves and manuscripts, Benjamin Moser out much of the charm of Clarice Lispector. No biography other is to explore its nuances such as this, and even those who have never taken, once one of his numerous works is a fascinating life and tragic and beautiful.

20. Ignatius Rising

by Deborah George Harvey and René Pol Nevils: Gut-busting Pulitzer-winning tragicomedy Confederation of Dunces showcases a publication of the story as compelling as the narrative itself, even more heartbreaking. Delving into the complex relationship of John Kennedy Toole with the mother, problems with sexuality, and other factors that eventually led him to commit suicide before returning to see his masterpiece to be printed.

21. Order

by Stephen King: not just about writing readers to receive the very idea of ​​authorship of terror around the world Stephen King and the staff thought process, but also learn a bit ‘of art. It is often cited as one of the best literary autobiography and practicums to boot, for what they consider essential reading.

22. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Hunter S. Thompson: No need to shovel a truck full of hallucinogenic drugs and alcohol in the throat every morning to learn anything from gonzo journalist excellence. In fiction and nonfiction, once, her most famous work explores the frustration of finding inspiration and pursue the American dream shattered.

23. Autobiography Mark Twain

by Mark Twain: Learn all about the great American ingenuity from their unique point of view, which saw the publication after his death and it does not matter exactly what he thought the people. Completely new autobiography and integral should sit in the library of every aspiring writers around, regardless of their chosen medium or genre.

24. Why be happy when it can be normal

by Jeanette Winterson: The influential LGBTQ Jeanette Winterson, author of real life fight between their education and Pentecostal famous lesbian sexuality in oranges inspired new fruit not only . This report expresses the reality behind his most famous work, which could inspire many newcomers and to seek emotional comfort in their own literature.

25. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

by Bill Bryson: In his fascinating memoir, a popular travel writer Bill Bryson speaks openly about the growing Des Moines, in the first two decades of war cold. Some of those highlights his later publications, but also reveals the curiosities and rarities can be found in current services, inventions, family and friends.