My concern with writing books is that new creators will think they can find a toolbox. My method that I use now in private teaching and that I used as a creative writing professor at GWU and as a lecturer at the Smithsonian's Campus-on-the-Mall was to teach the writer how to teach himself. No one learns by being told or lectured. And reading is the key--and film can be as well. We do, as one of your titles suggests, learn to read and view as writers. One of the keys that I use in part of my Substack: Write it! How to get started is to separate invention from the study of craft. xo ~Mary
Hi Jody. I did link out to the books, in the captions under the book covers. But thank you for saying this because when I went back to check, not ALL of the links were there. I think I must have been interrupted or something. Anyway, I've put the missing ones in now!
I definitely agree with you about Story Craft. I particularly like the way he takes what could be boring writing (just the facts) and shows you how to turn it into something compelling.
Thanks for posting these Terry! These books look interesting. Only "Writing Tools: 55 Essentials" is available within my library system. I'll take a look at it the next time I'm at the library. I wrote the others down for future reference.
Cheers, Matthew. I've read a few books by Roy Peter Clark and they are all good IMO. Very practical advice and analysis from a seasoned writer. So if your library has other books by him you might want to check those out as well.
My concern with writing books is that new creators will think they can find a toolbox. My method that I use now in private teaching and that I used as a creative writing professor at GWU and as a lecturer at the Smithsonian's Campus-on-the-Mall was to teach the writer how to teach himself. No one learns by being told or lectured. And reading is the key--and film can be as well. We do, as one of your titles suggests, learn to read and view as writers. One of the keys that I use in part of my Substack: Write it! How to get started is to separate invention from the study of craft. xo ~Mary
I agree to a large extent, but I think we can all learn from other writers, and then make the craft our own
STORY CRAFT is a great book, and many nonfiction writers would benefit from it. Curious why you didn't link out to any of the books you reviewed?
Hi Jody. I did link out to the books, in the captions under the book covers. But thank you for saying this because when I went back to check, not ALL of the links were there. I think I must have been interrupted or something. Anyway, I've put the missing ones in now!
I definitely agree with you about Story Craft. I particularly like the way he takes what could be boring writing (just the facts) and shows you how to turn it into something compelling.
Awesome-saucem! I'm glad I wasn't just suffering the classic ID10T error.
Lol. I've never heard that expression before. Love it!
On Writing by Stephen King is still my all time favorite.
It's taking me a while because I need to re-read it first!
Thanks for reminding me of that, Sarah. I will have to review that too!
Terrific post, Terry - thank you! 😃 I’ve got some reading to do...
Thanks, Rebecca. Yes, they're all good, for different reasons. Hope you find some of them useful and interesting.
Thanks for posting these Terry! These books look interesting. Only "Writing Tools: 55 Essentials" is available within my library system. I'll take a look at it the next time I'm at the library. I wrote the others down for future reference.
Cheers, Matthew. I've read a few books by Roy Peter Clark and they are all good IMO. Very practical advice and analysis from a seasoned writer. So if your library has other books by him you might want to check those out as well.