Do you research the Aspects of the Novel, or rely on your education, life experiences, and what you have read?
There seem to be an increasing number of self-help books on the market, and some older ones by respected professors and literary critics.
I found, Aspects of the Novel by E M Forster, Materials and Methods of Fiction by Clayton Meeker Hamilton, useful. George Orwell's essay, Politics and the English Language was also interesting.
Are there any books that you would recommend?
Your lucky Jon. I believe English is a secondary language where I live in North London. I would describe Edmonton as an Open-Prison. You get a better class of illiteracy in Edmonton. On the plus side we do have an Incinerator Plant and a Sewage Works, which makes its hidden presence felt in warm weather. This makes the great-unwashed feel a normal part of society.
In my youth I read Dianne Doubtfire's 'The Craft of Novel Writing' which was short and explained all salient points in a way that was easy to follow. I still have that copy xx years later.
I was lucky enough to be good at English in school so rarely have spelling or grammar problems (bighead) so my editing tends to be of typos and those darned extra words that creep in; the 'that's and 'when's and 'and's, etc. Cut, cut and cut again.
But I do read a lot of related historical NF, on the lookout for events which don't seem to make logical sense or clashes in historical records; even arguments between historians. There are plenty of them, and they can make great fiction while still toeing the thin line of 'fact'.
I do laugh at my naievety when obvious flaws are pointed out, especially my spelling and grammar which still has much room for improvement.
You may be surprised to hear that there is some humour in my novel, Victoria.
For subtle humour and charm rather than comedy, I refer to Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.