We’re All in This Together: Books That Impact Writers Post #1

I asked our “We’re All in This Together” group to tell me about a book that impacted them as a writer. It could be a book on writing, a book that they wished they’d written themselves, or a book that they just really love and has made an impact on them as a writer. I have a lot of books about writing, but there were a few in this collection that I don’t own. I will be remedying that very soon.

Vivian Kirkfield

Author – Educator – Parenting Speaker

www.viviankirkfield.com

Lucky me! I received a copy of WRITING PICTURE BOOKS by Ann Whitford Paul, from one of my local SCBWI critique buddies – it was the BEST Christmas present ever! It is, without a doubt, one of the finest resources for picture book writers. The author knows what she is talking about (she has MANY wonderful published picture books to her credit) and she shares spot-on advice and practical tips and tactics. One of the most helpful components of the book is the ‘required’ writing exercise at the end of each chapter. I truly believe that reading this book and following the suggestions will lead to writing and publishing success. 🙂

 

Allison Wexler

My favorite book on writing (and life) is BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott. It is funny, smart, inspiring and full of practical advice. For instance, did you know that you should never start a writing project on a Monday in December? Anne Lamott gives me hope that writing is worth it – regardless of whether I ever get published. And she makes me laugh while acknowledging the tedium and difficulty involved. “One can find in writing a perfect focus for life. It offers challenge and delight and agony and commitment.” She reminds me that is worth striving for.

 

Romelle Broas

Children’s Author

www.romellebroas.com

 

My most treasured book is a craft book, WORD MAGIC FOR WRITERS by Cindy Rogers. As the book advertises- Your source for powerful language that enchants, convinces, and wins readers! Need I say more? This book is a treasure chest filled with gems. You’ll learn language devices that will strengthen your writing and make your story dazzle. This book is a course in itself and provides examples and exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned. This book was recommended to me by my instructor at the Institute of Children’s Literature. Word Magic for Writers is a must-have for everyone wanting to enhance their writing skills. It should be included in every writer’s library!

 

Carol Munro

Full-time freelance writer

www.carolmunrojustwritewords.wordpress.com

I have so many fantastic books about writing. Here are two I really must tell you about.

First, poemcrazy by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge. I’ve had so much fun with this book. It’s cram-packed with 60 short chapters that begin with a blend of personal essay and inspiring instruction. Each chapter ends with a practice. Using it feels like sitting in Susan’s kitchen or on her couch, getting to know her while she shares ways to explore and have fun with writing and teaching poetry. And then there are the quotes she drops in here and there, like: As I write I create myself again and again. –Joy Harjo

Second, TAKE JOY by Jane Yolen (subtitle: A Writer’s Guide to Loving the Craft). Many years ago, I was blessed to be a member of a crit group led by Jane. From day one, I knew how fortunate I was to sit in a room once a month and learn from her. She’s kind and nurturing and never pulls a punch when a punch is called for. What do you want to know about writing? What bugs the hell out of you? Do you ever wish you didn’t have to be a writer (you know what I mean)? Read this book. Jane has nuggets of wisdom for you.

 Alayne Kay Christian

Author of “Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa”

http://alaynekaychristian.wordpress.com/

Wow, this is a tough one, Marcie. I have tons of books. Okay, I have pulled myself together. I can make a decision now. There are two books that immediately jumped into my brain, and two that jumped out at me from my shelves. I will list them all briefly.

The first book is WRITING PICTURE BOOKS: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul (Writer’s Digest Books) Copyright 2009.

I like this book because there are few books dedicated specifically to picture book writing. Most of the information in the book is not something that I haven’t learned by now. However, when I find myself getting too comfortable or slipping into lazy picture book habits, this book snaps me out of it and reminds me what a “good” picture book needs. It is also good for drilling things into my brain that do not seem to want to click for me. At the end of each of the twenty chapters, there are writing related exercises to do before moving on to the next chapter. The chapters are grouped together under six sections.

1. BEFORE YOU WRITE YOUR STORY

2. EARLY STORY DECISIONS

3. STRUCTURE OF YOUR STORY

4. LANGUAGE OF YOUR STORY

5. TYING TOGETHER LOOSE STORY ENDS

6. AFTER YOU STORY IS DONE.

Some of the pages I have dog-eared are about . . .

QUESTION AND ANSWER IN CONCEPT BOOKS

HOW TO CREATE UNIQUE, MEMORABLE, AND CONSISTENT CHARACTERS

FIVE THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT YOUR PICTURE BOOK CHARACTER

SHOW DON’T TELL

RHYME TIME

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORD COUNT – WASTED WORDS

MAKING SENSE OF PUBLISHERS’ SUBMISSION POLICIES

PRIMING YOUR IDEA PUMP

The second book that came to mind is THE WRITER’S LIFE: Insights from The RIGHT to WRITE by Julia Cameron (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam – a member of Penguin Putnam Inc.) copyright 2001

Julia Cameron’s Author’s Note says this little book will be a cheerleader for those trying the writing life and a companion for those living it. She also writes, “It is my hope that this book will help to heal writers who are broken, initiate writers who are afraid, and entice writers who are standing at river’s edge, wanting to put a toe in.”

This is a little daily companion type book, so one can read a page at a time. Each page brings hope, inspiration, or something to ponder. Here is a short excerpt from one page: “. . . . How carefully are we willing to listen? How much control are we willing to surrender for the sake of allowing creativity to move through us rather than our trying to flog it forward for agendas of our own? There is an organic shape, a form-coming-into-form that is inherent in the thing we are observing, listening to, and trying to put on the page. It has rules of its own that it will reveal to us if we listen with attention.”

The next two books were the first to jump out from my shelves. I did not go into detail on these two books because I don’t want to hog all the space for this blog post.

WRITING BESTSELLING CHILDREN’S BOOKS: 52 brilliant ideas for inspiring young readers by Alexander Gordon Smith (The Infinite Ideas Company Limited) copyright 2007.

In this book, the end of each chapter has an interesting Q & A page.

CREATING CHARACTERS KIDS WILL LOVE by Elaine Marie Alphin (Writer’s Digest Books an imprint of F&W Publications) copyright 2000.

This book has lots of TRY IT YOURSELF writing exercises.

As always, thanks to Marcie for her hard work in pulling this series together.

 

Marcie Flinchum Atkins

Children’s and YA Writer

www.marcieatkins.com

CHAPTER AFTER CHAPTER by Heather Sellers helped me through my thesis. As I sludged through the middle and wondered if I’d ever finish, I read this book and took note of a lot of the suggestions she gives. It’s a book that gave practical suggestions, but also served as an inspiration to me to know that I could finish. I’ve written about this book before. If you are the middle of a big project, this is a great book to help  you get through the rest.

 

Join us tomorrow when a few writers will share about books that impacted them in their childhoods.