Another John D MacDonald fan here. I especially love how he wrote about old Florida. I'm currently reading The Tell, Oppenheimer (research for my current book,) and Raising Hare--all totally different.
Yes, the Florida aspects always amused me, too. I have family in Florida and spent a lot of my life there. I always loved when Elmore Leonard set his books there, too. The Tell was great--I just listened to that one.
Joining various book clubs has a big effect on me. I am in a senior citizens and a Science fiction book club, which gives me energy about writing. The joy and fun that comes from a group excited about a book is a jumpstart to my writing
I've read "On Writing" twice (and own it) and just bought "On Writing Well" after reading a post about it on Substack! I haven't read it yet, though. Thanks for the recs!
I have always been a collector. Whether its quietly tearing out a magazine page in the doctors office, hearing music I like and immediately going to itunes to buy it, copying words or phrases into “notes” on my iphone, screengrabs of photos or art that I am struck by and believe could teach me something if I copied it …..I have files with thousands of images. I cannot resist buying art books of my favourite artists(Canada’s Group of Seven, Van Gogh), sheet music that’s far beyond my ability, Easy-to-play collections that I could play if I practiced more. My husband and I met over our love of travel. We still take thousands of photos and in every city, big and small, visit the galleries and museums but mostly galleries. I am inspired every day by my garden and the collected objects in my home. As to books, I highly recommend the anthologies titled Dropped Threads, edited by Marjorie Anderson. On aging, Women Rowing North by Mary Pipher. A heart-wrenching read about growing up in a cult and finding her way free of it byTara Westover called Educated. Anything by Lisa Genova, a neuroscientist who writes novels that incorporate neurologigal diseases into gripping storylines (eg Still Alice). Finally, for cannot-put -down thrillers, anything by Daniel Kalla. He is a Vancouver ER doctor who writes the novels you must be on holidays to read because you won’t put them down till you are done and then you will read them again for all the stuff you missed first time.
I love knowing these details about you, Carolyn. And it's funny but I also collect notes on my phone (many ideas for stories and pitches, satire, etc.) and screen grabs of images and reminders sorted into albums for inspiration. Thank you for the book recommendations, too. I have Women Rowing North on my shelf as a TBR. Agree Still Alice was a great book. Will check out the others! xo
I've found "7 Essential Writing Tools: That Will Absolutely Make Your Writing Better” by Marni Freedman to be helpful. She includes a checklist for effective scene writing.
I WFH full time, and write on the side. During the week, I leaf through art books while on hold, and listen to music docs to stay energized and I inspired.
Great article, Abby. I tried to share it on Facebook, but there was a button to add comments and a button to decide who to share it with, but no button to actually post it.
You don’t have to be a fan to see Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography, “Born to Run,” isn’t about “stories from the road.” The topic he always returns to is his favorite one: how lyrics - “writing” - is his foundation. Full stop.
And - at the moments he despaired of being able to tell a story (i.e. ALL of the last 50 years): he conquered them by reading (historian Henry Steele Commager, Pete Dexter, Richard Ford) or listening to lyrics & music (Elvis, The Animals). He arrived here:
“I searched for the voice I would blend with mine to do the telling.”
Maybe I TOTALLY missed what you wrote. Or maybe not, and he’s like you in his medium. “Born to Run” is at root, about the tortured creative, storytelling process. (And - he’s really good with memoir.)
I absolutely love this! One of my favorite things is learning about other people's approach to creativity, especially other types of artists. This definitely speaks to me. I just added the audiobook to my Libby app TBR. He narrates it, too. Thanks, Matt!
Thank you! Sometimes I get “eye rolls” about him. But his autobiography is not a “trash a hotel room” thing like Van Halen’s. (In fact he tries to write in his hotel rooms. And here, he writes about that!) I hope you like it. If not I’ll write you a little book report.
I'm also reading the Book of Alchemy now! And I'm approaching it the same way you are -- one chapter a day, one prompt a day. It's wonderful! This morning, I made a mind map of a particular year in my life (I chose the year 2008). It led to me recalling so many different events that had long been buried. It's such an excellent book, all around!
Another John D MacDonald fan here. I especially love how he wrote about old Florida. I'm currently reading The Tell, Oppenheimer (research for my current book,) and Raising Hare--all totally different.
Yes, the Florida aspects always amused me, too. I have family in Florida and spent a lot of my life there. I always loved when Elmore Leonard set his books there, too. The Tell was great--I just listened to that one.
Joining various book clubs has a big effect on me. I am in a senior citizens and a Science fiction book club, which gives me energy about writing. The joy and fun that comes from a group excited about a book is a jumpstart to my writing
Thanks for this idea! I can see how that would be inspirational.
Stephen King’s "On Writing" and William Zinsser’s "On Writing Well."
I've read "On Writing" twice (and own it) and just bought "On Writing Well" after reading a post about it on Substack! I haven't read it yet, though. Thanks for the recs!
I'm glad to be reminded of Finding Forrester. I remember that having a big effect on me. I'd love to see it again.
It's been years since I've seen it and I'm thinking it's time to show it to my daughter.
Steering the Craft ❤️
(So many others, but this one came to mind first, so it gets to shine alone)
Thank you! xo
I have always been a collector. Whether its quietly tearing out a magazine page in the doctors office, hearing music I like and immediately going to itunes to buy it, copying words or phrases into “notes” on my iphone, screengrabs of photos or art that I am struck by and believe could teach me something if I copied it …..I have files with thousands of images. I cannot resist buying art books of my favourite artists(Canada’s Group of Seven, Van Gogh), sheet music that’s far beyond my ability, Easy-to-play collections that I could play if I practiced more. My husband and I met over our love of travel. We still take thousands of photos and in every city, big and small, visit the galleries and museums but mostly galleries. I am inspired every day by my garden and the collected objects in my home. As to books, I highly recommend the anthologies titled Dropped Threads, edited by Marjorie Anderson. On aging, Women Rowing North by Mary Pipher. A heart-wrenching read about growing up in a cult and finding her way free of it byTara Westover called Educated. Anything by Lisa Genova, a neuroscientist who writes novels that incorporate neurologigal diseases into gripping storylines (eg Still Alice). Finally, for cannot-put -down thrillers, anything by Daniel Kalla. He is a Vancouver ER doctor who writes the novels you must be on holidays to read because you won’t put them down till you are done and then you will read them again for all the stuff you missed first time.
I love knowing these details about you, Carolyn. And it's funny but I also collect notes on my phone (many ideas for stories and pitches, satire, etc.) and screen grabs of images and reminders sorted into albums for inspiration. Thank you for the book recommendations, too. I have Women Rowing North on my shelf as a TBR. Agree Still Alice was a great book. Will check out the others! xo
I've found "7 Essential Writing Tools: That Will Absolutely Make Your Writing Better” by Marni Freedman to be helpful. She includes a checklist for effective scene writing.
Thank you so much!
I WFH full time, and write on the side. During the week, I leaf through art books while on hold, and listen to music docs to stay energized and I inspired.
I love it!
Great article, Abby. I tried to share it on Facebook, but there was a button to add comments and a button to decide who to share it with, but no button to actually post it.
Thank you!
I can't wait to read Suleika's new book! I just finished Maggie Smith's "Dear Writer" and loved it.
I have Maggie's on deck!
Enjoy!!
When I was getting my MFA, a professor told us to choose a book, open to any page, and read a few paragraphs before we wrote. It helps, right?!
It's not something I'm used to doing, but I think I'll start. It makes sense, for sure.
You don’t have to be a fan to see Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography, “Born to Run,” isn’t about “stories from the road.” The topic he always returns to is his favorite one: how lyrics - “writing” - is his foundation. Full stop.
And - at the moments he despaired of being able to tell a story (i.e. ALL of the last 50 years): he conquered them by reading (historian Henry Steele Commager, Pete Dexter, Richard Ford) or listening to lyrics & music (Elvis, The Animals). He arrived here:
“I searched for the voice I would blend with mine to do the telling.”
Maybe I TOTALLY missed what you wrote. Or maybe not, and he’s like you in his medium. “Born to Run” is at root, about the tortured creative, storytelling process. (And - he’s really good with memoir.)
I absolutely love this! One of my favorite things is learning about other people's approach to creativity, especially other types of artists. This definitely speaks to me. I just added the audiobook to my Libby app TBR. He narrates it, too. Thanks, Matt!
Thank you! Sometimes I get “eye rolls” about him. But his autobiography is not a “trash a hotel room” thing like Van Halen’s. (In fact he tries to write in his hotel rooms. And here, he writes about that!) I hope you like it. If not I’ll write you a little book report.
I'm also reading the Book of Alchemy now! And I'm approaching it the same way you are -- one chapter a day, one prompt a day. It's wonderful! This morning, I made a mind map of a particular year in my life (I chose the year 2008). It led to me recalling so many different events that had long been buried. It's such an excellent book, all around!
Oh I love that! I've been saving my chapter/prompt writing for after work each day, like a reward. I love it so much.
Thanks for the great recommendations! :)
Thanks for reading!