This book by Jeff Gerke is easy to read and full of storytelling wisdom. Although it’s about the absolute basics of all storytelling, it’s not just for beginning writers, either.

Jeff walks you through the development of characters that will be three-dimensional and interesting, then walks you and your characters through the creation of plots that suit the characters as well as your chosen genre and your theme. (He’s pretty helpful on figuring out your theme, too.)

Along the way, Jeff draws on lessons learned from novels and screenplays and his examples illustrate his points clearly.

If you’re going to buy only one book about writing, I’d say make it Plot versus Character.