TheNextBigWriter Premium → Writing courses
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Hi
Does anyone know if there are any
writing courses being planned?
If not on this site then any online course
recommendations?
I’m looking for help in writing a memoir .
Also any recommendations on a
book on the craft of writing?
I bought three books some time ago. They've helped me greatly, leading to my first published novel.
They are:
The Writer's Little Helper, James V. Smirth, Jr,
The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need, Susan Thurman
The Breakout Novelist, Donald Maass
All three books are great, easy to understand, and are filled with tips.
Bill
I remember hearing about Writer's Digest wa-a-ay back in the olden days (must have been a high school English assignment). When I came across it online, I checked it out. This is where I got started looking for things online to help me out. They have classes, blogs, articles--all kinds of info. After I got a feel for what I wanted and needed, I started surfing the net for more. At least, Writer's Digest is a good jumping-off point.
http://subscriptions.writersdigest.com/ … t/Magazine
Along the way, I bought more than a few books, but I can't recommend any of them. Writing is so personal, a book's author isn't likely to tell you exactly the thing you want to know. Sometimes the things you want to know aren't what you need to know. At least, that's what I found. And even more staggering--there may not be anyone who can tell you what you need to know. You have to get out there and find it for yourself.
Enjoy the journey! JP
Thank you both for the info
I really appreciate it.
I've been recommending Matt Bird's =The Secrets of Story= for close to a year now.
Hi Sheila,
Two interesting website for further writing resources are:
NY Book Editors and Writer Unboxed. Donald Maas is one of the regular contributors on the Writer Unboxed site. He has several good books on writing out.
Donald Maass. Years ago when I was a neophyte and thought you needed an agent to get published, I queried him. Got no response. I queried him for my next book. Got no response. At that time I didn't know he'd written books on how to write a novel. You know the old saying: those that can't do, teach. Based on his track record, he can't do. One fiction book on his author page (written under a pseudonym) and for some reason he showcased a review from Publishers Weekly that was negative. No other reviews. So, not only is he not an accomplished novelist, he doesn't know marketing, either! But that book was published years ago, and he apparently learned he didn't have what it took to be a successful novelist. So now he writes books telling others how to write successful novels? Don't waste your money, peeps.
If you're considering The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need by Susan Thurman, I felt that it doesn't have enough examples of grammar rules. I would have liked a lot more correct and incorrect examples of grammar rules. I ended up returning it.
I ended up getting the Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, which has the basic rules and more examples, but is not nearly as in depth as the above book.
Both books are highly recommended on Amazon. For any books you want to buy, click on the Amazon cover and peruse the table of contents to see if it suits you.
I still say books are for the birds! (Too bad they can't read!)
You can't rely on one book. You can buy enough books to stock a library, but you still might not find that spark. Each writer needs something different, and a book is static; it can't conform to individual needs. JP
Speaking of needs--what are the things you needed to learn as a new writer?
Most of all, you need to learn what things you need to learn. You need to say 'I can't do that,' and then set to learn how.
Is there anyone on this site writing memoirs? I've learned more about writing novels by reading and reviewing other writers' work. Maybe the same could be said for memoirs. When I first joined there were several memoirs posted.
Speaking of needs--what are the things you needed to learn as a new writer?
Good question JP ! I think an important thing to learn when starting out is: With every word and each sentence you create, ask yourself:
Why should my reader care about this? Don't recall where I learned it though. I also like the expression:
Read like a writer and write like a reader!
Thanks for all the advice. It’s very helpful.
I’m looking for help in writing a memoir .
Also any recommendations on a
book on the craft of writing?
Hi Sheila Clark- Two books I enjoy referring to from time to time are "The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes" by Jack M. Bickham and "Robert's Rules of Writing - 101 unconventional lessons every writer needs to know" by Robert Masello. They're not so much about memoirs, but I've found them to have some good, interesting tips. Hope this helps.
Again, my caveat: When gurus write these how-to books concerning novels, you should research their own history of writing - novels. Or memoirs, or whatever, besides how-to books. Donald Maass, for example, should stick to books about being a successful literary agent, and stay away from books that supposedly teach one how to write a successful novel.
Again, my caveat: When gurus write these how-to books concerning novels, you should research their own history of writing - novels. Or memoirs, or whatever, besides how-to books. Donald Maass, for example, should stick to books about being a successful literary agent, and stay away from books that supposedly teach one how to write a successful novel.
I agree with you that it always helps to research the history of the writing of those giving advice.
For example, if Donald Maass’ books had these stats, you’d definitely want to be wary of his advice...
Published November, 2016
16 Reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,092,546 Paid in Kindle Store
But you might want to try this book by Donald Maass if you are trying to become a successful author:
https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Craft- … B001JASU0W
Written December, 2016
107 Reviews
4.8/5 rating
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,934 Paid in Kindle Store
A bit of a contrarian, I suppose, but in my opinion, the best book on writing you can read is the book you write on whatever subject you are passionate about -- novel or non-fiction doesn't matter. If you write the book you want to write in your words, then take sage advice from those you trust to tweak it as need may be, then you have just graduated from the best creative writing course there in the known universe. Might be a best seller or might be less than well received by the public at large; it is still yours and the personal goal will be met regardless of the monetary finish line. Just the way I see it. Take care. Vern
A bit of a contrarian, I suppose, but in my opinion, the best book on writing you can read is the book you write on whatever subject you are passionate about -- novel or non-fiction doesn't matter. If you write the book you want to write in your words, then take sage advice from those you trust to tweak it as need may be, then you have just graduated from the best creative writing course there in the known universe. Might be a best seller or might be less than well received by the public at large; it is still yours and the personal goal will be met regardless of the monetary finish line. Just the way I see it. Take care. Vern
aka “recipe for inertia”
I’m looking for help in writing a memoir . Also any recommendations on a book on the craft of writing?
To Sheila Clark - Also two popular books that cover memoir writing are Naked, Drunk and Writing by Adair Lara and The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith. They are easy reads and are probably available at your local library. FYI.
vern wrote:A bit of a contrarian, I suppose, but in my opinion, the best book on writing you can read is the book you write on whatever subject you are passionate about -- novel or non-fiction doesn't matter. If you write the book you want to write in your words, then take sage advice from those you trust to tweak it as need may be, then you have just graduated from the best creative writing course there in the known universe. Might be a best seller or might be less than well received by the public at large; it is still yours and the personal goal will be met regardless of the monetary finish line. Just the way I see it. Take care. Vern
aka “recipe for inertia”
That would be correct if you are optimistic enough to continue on that straight line to your destination and not let outside forces knock you off course. Of course everyone may not feel that way. That's what makes the world go round. Makes me wonder who taught those first great writers; I mean the ones who happened to make it before all those how to writing books? Yep, I think inertia would fit in there somewhere within that first draft. Take care. Vern
Also, do a search under Read & Review for memoirs on this site. Connect with the authors or review their work and they'll probably reciprocate.
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TheNextBigWriter Premium → Writing courses
