- Slang and Euphemism, Spears
- A Brief Guide to Literary Terms, Hamilton
- Dictionary of American Idioms, Spears
- The Synonym Finder, Rodale
- Oxford Dictionary of Idioms
- THE FICTION WRITER'S SILENT PARTNER, Roth*
- The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volumes 1 and 2
- The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, Barnhart
- Webster's Rhyming Dictionary
- Poetry, Pre-Meditated Art, Jerome
- Courage and Craft, Abercrombie
- America, Charles Kuralt
- On Writing, King
- Bird by Bird, Lamott
As you can see from this eclectic list, I am using many kinds of reference books to assess language. Not only does this help me to choose what I feel is the right word, but I can also check to be sure the word is in character rather than an anachronism.
The best book for me is by Roth, the Fiction Writer's Silent Partner. This is nothing but a book of lists. So you're stuck? Choose from the list and get rolling again.
I also love Bird by Bird, which I probably read twice a week, for Anne's thoughtful insight into our writing fears. Just take things bird by bird! Please read Lamott!
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