Writing questions and answers

'This is a short book because most books about writing are filled with bulls***. Fiction writers, present company included, don't understand very much about what they do - not why it works when it's good, not why it doesn't when it's bad. I figured the shorter the book, the less the bulls***.' -- Stephen King, On Writing

I know there are a great many books on the craft of writing the novel. I have read a few, scanned many more, and read about many more than that. I am hoping that someone on here (or several someones, hopefully) can recommend a good book for the aspiring novelist. Something basic, preferably, but if it's good I'll look at it.

I am hoping to draw on the experience of the group here and save the time and money on the useless or the self-serving. Has anyone come across a book or guide of any kind that really made a difference for them in their quest to write The Long Story? If you have, let me know, I'd love to look it over.

Thanks in advance.