There are a lot of books and gadgets out there on writing or that supposedly help you write better. Are there any that you would recommend? I am particularly looking for books that help me be more creative.
I have a whole shelf (or 10) of books on writing. A few of my favorites (in no particular order) are:
- Writing Alone and with Others by Pat Schneider
- The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
- Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
- On Writing by Stephen King
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont
I also have a new writing book on order that hasn't arrived yet, but it looks great — Book in a Month by Victoria Lynn Schmidt. She has some great free downloadable worksheets HERE.
So readers, is this something you'd be interested in on a somewhat regular basis? A quick review of writing books and other writing related stuff?
Also, what about online writing courses I've received the occasional e-mail asking if I teach writing classes. I've always responded that I was too busy for that. But now that I'm in semi-retirement, it may be something I could consider. They wouldn't be free. I have to support my chocolate habit somehow. But I'd try to keep the prices reasonable.
In your comments, let me know if you're interested in a) writing book/product reviews, and b) online writing courses. If you are interested in online courses, let me know what specifically you'd be interested in.
8 comments:
Here's an older one that got me excited about writing, and showed me how to get started.
"Becoming a Writer"
by Dorothea Brande
Thanks for the references, I'll have to look those up!
- Chas
http://music.willowrise.com
I'd love to read your reviews of writing books.
Some of my favorites are: Scene and Structure (Bickham), Techniques of the Selling Writer (Swain) (this book gave me many brain cramps), Creating Stories for Children (Lamb), Plot and Structure (Bell).
I'm interested in learning about both. =]
The book that really got me excited about writing was Dean Koontz's book "How to Write Best Selling Fiction."
I also like the two books by Sol Stein, Bickham's book that Rebecca Talley mentioned was a great one too.
There are a lot of others, but those are my favorites.
My all-time favorite was called the best book on writing by Carl Sandburg. It's not about the nuts and bolts of writing--it's about creativity and honesty and writing. It doesn't bog you down with rules that actually stifle creativity, but frees you up to really write what's in your soul.
"If You Want to Write", by Brenda Ueland.
I am surprised that everyone suggests Stephen King's book. I really need to get it.
I would be interested if you were planning on posting classes online! I would totally support your chocolate habit. ;)
Three books I would recommend (besides Steven King's excellent and concise treatise) were required reading for the Maui Writer's Retreat I attended back in 2004:
"Becoming a Writer" by Dorothea Brande (already noted by Chas above), "Steering the Craft" by Ursula K. Le Guin, and "The Writer's Journey" (2nd Edition) by Christopher Vogler.
As a follow-up to my post, you might want to check out my blog posting today regarding Le Guin's book:
http://tpmills.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/steering-our-writing-in-small-ways/
It gives a few more details about the contents of her book.
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