Thursday, October 23, 2008

on my shelf: part two

The best writing books continued:

6. A Writer’s Paris, Eric Maisel. While his theology drives me insane, much of this book is admirable. It is also probably the most physically beautiful book I own. And I love the idea of writing in Paris (shocking, no?)... but this is also a practical book for writing here at home. (Though southern Illinois lacks the charm of la vie en rose…)

7. Rules of Thumb is a compilation of essays (most of them short) by a variety of authors, collected by Michael Martone and Susan Neville. Many of the essays are decent, and a handful are quite, quite good and continue to haunt me as I work. Since the essays are short, this is like an inspirational “snack” when I’m getting bogged down.

READ MORE...

Posted by Jenn Langefeld on 10/23 at 06:58 PM
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink

on my shelf: a tribute: part one

What could be pleasanter than a little literature in the small hours? — P.G. Wodehouse

During the act of creation there is collaboration. We do not create alone. — Madeleine L’Engle

I am trying to be a very good person and not question my impulsive signing up for NaNoWriMo last week… But I stare at Part Three and realize how very much I do not know yet!

I have lots thought out, and so many elements have grown and deepened since writing the first draft. That much is encouraging. But the huge black holes in the plot, the light-sucking, howling ignorance that I feel when cracking open my outline… that’s not so good.

So I’m reaching again and again to my writing bookshelf, to flip through the books that I adore so much, searching for a bit of courage.

READ MORE...

Posted by Jenn Langefeld on 10/23 at 06:45 PM
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Page 1 of 1 pages