There are a lot of things you probably shouldn’t buy.  Cloths you don’t fit into, caffeine free coffee, nick -knacks, crappy souvenirs.  But there are some things that writers, especially new writers who are generally broke, should just never, ever buy.

1. Ninty five percent of “here’s how to write a book”, books.

There are exceptions to this.  I read On Writing by Stephen King when I was just thinking I might want to be a writer, and it was a real inspiration.  (Even if he is a filthy pantser and that’s why your endings always suck so hard, Stephen!)  But for the most part, writing guidebooks are not going to help you.  Practice will help you, and writing prompts.  Reading a book about writing is probably not going to help you.

2. Any books of writing prompts.

Why?  There are way too many available for free online.  I give…