Today's theme for the 2011 Blogathon is your top 5 books on writing. Here's my list:
1) Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Anne Lamott. You can get a feel for her style by downloading an archived interview from this Writer's Digest link. (Caution: salty language.)
2) Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer, Roy Peter Clark
3) Keep It Real: Everything You Need to Know about Researching and Writing Creative Nonfiction, edited by Lee Gutkind
4) Writing Metrical Poetry: Contemporary Lessons for Mastering Traditional Forms, William Baer
5) The Craft of Lyric Writing, Sheila Davis
If you're looking to be a little depressed about your budget, but inspired by commitment, tenacity, and professionalism, check out this video interview of Gay Talese. Finally, if you are interested in writing creative nonfiction, consider an online class at creativenonfiction.org: a satisfying experience.
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A New Start! Again!
2 months ago
Nice! I forgot all about Anne Lamotte, which is surprising. And thanks for the link to the creative non-fiction site. That's exactly what I've been aiming to do for some time, although I absolutely don't need to add anything else to my list.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Joan. I took a longer class this winter that covered personal essay/memoir, profile essay, immersion essay, and fact-heavy essay with Anjali Sachveda. Both the book "Keep It Real" and the interview with Gay Talese were a part of our coursework. It was an excellent experience. The 4-week, single subject classes look great, and cost about half as much.
ReplyDeleteLaura, of all the blogs I've looked at so far in the WordCount 2011 Blogathon, yours is one that resonates the most with me. I have subsribed to In My Little Town and look forward to reading what you have already posted and will post in the future. I grew up near a little town in Iowa. You can see a picture of it on my blog, A 1960s High School Diary.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, how kind of you. I'm on the run, but I did sneak a peek at your blog. What amazing discipline! I'm looking forward to reading more. Thanks for stopping by, LT
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