All writers learn and do at the same time. Don’t think for a minute that you need to put your book-writing dreams on hold until you’ve earned an MFA.
To save you the $30,000, I’d like to share with you what I learned at Harvard; the very thing each writing teacher pronounced at the start of the semester: “There is a school of thought that writing cannot be taught. Writing is learned by doing. When you write a lot, you get good.”
I’d like to modify that expensive statement a bit: We learn something best when we actually need to use it.
Mind you, enrolling in an MFA program is a terrific way to learn how to write, but there are some other ways to develop your craft while working on your book. One of the best ways is to read books on writing.
Each time I read about the craft, I spot something I want to teach, and to work on in my own writing. Last week, for instance, I read, “Never say, ‘I felt, I feel…’ in your manuscript. This is not therapy. Show how you felt. Reveal it in an interesting way, but for God’s sake, don’t start your sentence with I feel.” Now I’m going to tear apart my manuscript looking for these phrases to cut. After I tell my clients to knock it off.
The holidays are upon us so I thought it might be a good time to share with you a short list of recommended reading for you, or the writer in your life. Because, let’s face it, none of us wants another piece of junk or an ugly Christmas sweater.
Let’s begin.
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
This is my favorite, particularly for those who are just getting started. Anne Lamott has a wonderful, funny way of breaking down the main components of the craft—character, dialogue, plot—and really simplifying them. She speaks to perfectionism, and despair, and jealousy, all that fun stuff that comes along for the ride when you begin to write. Her supporting examples always make me roar.If you can only buy one book, buy this one.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr., E.B. White and Robert Angell
This is a classic for a reason. Good prose never goes out of style. I fling clichés around like they’re going out of business. (You see what I mean!) And I throw, commas in, where they are, simply not needed. And the passive voice gets used when it shouldn’t. You catch my drift. If you want to come across as semi-literate when you’re writing, you’ll want to re-learn the basics. Trust me, you probably never really learned them in the first place. That’s why I crack this puppy open (or should) each time I’ve got to clean up on aisle nine. (I bet that’s a cliché, too.)
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg
A writing prompt is a sentence designed to open the creative floodgates. Sometimes an image, or a picture, can serve to get the juices flowing, too. Get something down on the page, anything, and more words are guaranteed to follow. That’s the purpose of the thing. You want writing prompts? Well, this is probably THE book. Goldberg tells a mean story as well, so don’t think you’re simply going to find yourself a list.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
You don’t actually have to be a drunk, or a basket case, or fresh out of the loony bin to be a great writer. Julia Cameron totally debunks that myth. (If you’re mentally stable, stop waiting around for some trauma to spark your creative juices.) The second biggest takeaway? If you’re a writer, expose yourself (no, not like that!) to painting, movies, music, drama, and other creative mediums. You’ll walk away with some terrific writing ideas. Full of exercises to get you in the right frame of mind.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Speaking of frame of mind. This is a short book. And, damn, it’s good. Here’s the subtitle: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles. If you’ve always wondered why you procrastinate, why you put off your creative work in favor of cleaning that filthy barbecue grill, well, you’ll want to read about the Lizard of Resistance—the cunning, primal embodiment of fear which lurks in each of us to keep us safe.
Do the Work by Steven Pressfield
Quite frankly, if you see anything written by Pressfield, just buy it. The title says it all. Because, therein lies the secret to success. (You’ll notice that The Secret did not make the shortlist. Vision is terrific, but, you’ve actually got to do something with it.) You. Have. To. Sit. Down. And. Write. People.
The Situation and the Story by Vivian Gornick
Here’s what happens when you write. First you get the situation down: This happened, then this, then that. You may even think you’re done once you’ve set the stage, described the characters, taken us from one point to the other, sprinkled in the details. This is when you’ll want to hit the publish button. But there’s something missing: the story that lies beneath. To get to the story—the missing essence, the reason your writing feels flat—you have to ask some deeper questions: Why did you (or your protagonist) do the things you (he/she) did? What were you really after? What did you stand to lose? That’s the stuff the reader is after. That’s the stuff you’ve got to get on the page.
250 Things You Should Know About Writing by Chuck Wendig.
Speaking of lists. God, I love this foul-mouthed, nutty man. He’s written several books along this line—numbered lists that include the most hysterical lessons and examples—so I figure you really can’t go wrong if you choose another one of his offerings. This would be particularly helpful (really!) for those of you writing fiction. Buy it in Kindle because his books are priced to sell. Don’t equate cheap (this time) with junk.
How To Eat The Elephant: Build Your Book in Bite-Sized Steps by Ann Sheybani
Did you notice the author’s name? Look familiar? (I’d be a fool not to tout my own book.) Eager to become an ass-kicking, gets-things-done author? Then there’s only one thing left to do…BEGIN! Paralyzed by the enormity of such a project? Well, you won’t get any sympathy here. But you will get all the tools you need to chunk the writing process down into bite-sized pieces. Terrified by the prospect of public embarrassment and failure? What. Ever. This is a guide that will guide you through the minefield of revision and publication.
The Power of Point of View by Alicia Rasley
OK, this is for the more advanced writer out there, the one that’s trying to figure out from which perspective to tell the story. Should I narrate the story from first person—I did this, I did that—or should I write from close third—Harvey knew he shouldn’t gun down Harriet. He’d known shooting people was a no-no from the time he was 37—or use multiple points of view, first Harvey, then Harriet (If she’s still alive)? The story changes depending on who’s telling it, and this book will help you determine which of your characters can make your story come to life.
