1 Topic by Sherry V. Ostroff (edited by Sherry V. Ostroff 2017-09-28 02:43:27)

Topic: Great Books on Writing

I just finished reading "Beyond Style - Mastering the Finer Points of Writing," by Gary Provost. It was filled with lots of information about crafting a story and what makes it good.

I've also read Stephen King's "On Writing," and Diana Gabaldon's "Outlandish Companion." It's not only interesting to find out how successful writers hone their craft, but the methods they employ. Whether it's writing 2,000 words before noon, working into the wee hours of the night or trying to pound out a sentence or two when you have 3 little kids and 2 jobs.

I have found the above books and stories have helped inspire me.

Do you have a great book on writing that you'd like to share?

Sherry

Quote Post 1

Re: Great Books on Writing

"The Secrets of Story" by Matt Bird.  Maybe a bit more foundational than the others, but very good.

Quote Post 2

Re: Great Books on Writing

njc wrote:

"The Secrets of Story" by Matt Bird.  Maybe a bit more foundational than the others, but very good.

When I ordered this book, I thought the title was "The Story of Story" and that it was about the evolution of the 'story' as we know it. Ha ha ha! I still enjoyed it.

Quote Post 3

Re: Great Books on Writing

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide To Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
How to Write Descriptions of Hair and Skin by Val Kovalin
How to Write Descriptions of Eyes and Faces by Val Kovalin

Kiss,

Gacela

Quote Post 4

Re: Great Books on Writing

Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn or anything else by Mark Twain

I learn by example. Take care. Vern

Quote Post 5

6 Reply by dagnee (edited by dagnee 2017-09-28 22:50:30)

Re: Great Books on Writing

Sherry,

I'm not the how-to book type. I learn a lot from listening (it's the new reading, just ask Audible!) to novels in my genre. However, I did get The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide To Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi that Gacea recommended.
smile

Quote Post 6

7 Reply by Sherry V. Ostroff (edited by Sherry V. Ostroff 2017-09-29 01:09:05)

Re: Great Books on Writing

dagnee wrote:

Sherry,

I'm not the how-to book type. I learn a lot from listening (it's the new reading, just ask Audible!) to novels in my genre. However, I did get The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide To Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi that Gacea recommended.
smile

I'll have to look into the emotion thesaurus, but you can find that information online.

I've tried listening to books. I don't find it nearly as satisfying as curling up in a comfortable chair with a cup of tea and some good chocolate chip cookies. I find when I listen to a book I get distracted and I don't get that "lost in a book" feeling. However, I know people who listen to books on their way to work.  If I had a long drive every day, I would do the same.

Sherry

Quote Post 7

Re: Great Books on Writing

It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous.
– Robert Benchley

Quote Post 8