The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook by Sherrilyn Kenyon with Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet

Perhaps the most-used book in my reference library.

Story by Robert McKee

How to tell a story, which is different. Inspired by the film world, entirely useful for authors.

Building Better Plots by Robert Kernen

Good for moving writer's blocks, which requires seeing the block and examining what it is.

Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan

For anyone who wants the reader to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the characters' world.

Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham

Maybe the best book for aspiring authors. A fundamental scheme for for how-to-write-a-novel.

Six Walks in the Fictional Woods by Umberto Eco

Love it.

The Novelist's Notebook by Laurie Henry

A guided journal asking necessary questions about your work in progress. Much enjoyed.

What If by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter

Writing exercises, fun and useful for learning.

Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain

Possibly the book most often recommended by romance authors to unpublished writers.

On Writing Well by William Zinsser

Serious and readable, relates to non-fiction.

The Art and Craft of Novel Writing by Oakley Hall

The best, the best. Excerpts from the masters, illustrating points. If an author could memorize this book and make it part of her blood, surely writing would be easy.

Writing the Natural Way by Gabriele Lusser Rico

More tools for moving or destroying the writer's block, especially the idea of clustering.

Get That Novel Written! by Donna Levin

Goes some distance toward doing what it says. Very useful.

The Elements of Storytelling by Peter Rubie

Great, with sections for specific elements.

Writing in Flow by Susan K. Perry

On invoking the muse.

The Romance Writer's Sourcebook by David Borcherding

I am in this book.

Dare to Be A Great Writer by Leonard Bishop

Look up the problem you're having with your book, and go to the solution.

The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations by Georges Polti

With variations, it's more like 500 dramatic situations--and they are dramatic.

Writing the Romance Novel with Leigh Michaels by Leigh Michaels

If writing and selling a romance is your aim, buy this book.

The Right to Write by Julia Cameron

Her voice is so soothing, as though she is free from angst. But when she addresses angst, the reader is in the California sun with her. She is in love with the act of writing, and her love is contagious. A motivating book.

Deep Writing by Eric Maisel

Leads to deep thinking about what you really want to write.

Useful References for Writers

Lonely Planet Travel Guides and Lonely Planet Online

DSM-IV Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

A must have for any author thinking of portraying a mental distorder in fiction. Also, extremely helpful for depicting personalities as well.

The Secret Language of Birthdays and The Secret Language of Relationships and The Secret Language of Destiny

(three books) by Gary Goldshneider and Joost Elffers.

Helpful with character development and in suggesting character traits. More ideas than you can hold in your head.

The World's Most Dangerous Places by Robert Young Pelton

If it doesn't give you seeds for your stories, at least you'll love reading his. Also visit his website