WHAT I'M READING:
I'm still working on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's a long book, and I'm not nearly as fast a reader as I would like. I just watched The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest on DVD. Lisbeth is such a fascinating character! I'm sure I'll end up reading those books as well.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
I recently finished reading Finding Your Voice by Les Edgerton. I loved Edgerton's book Hooked, so I decided to give Finding Your Voice a try. I'm so glad I did! It seems I've read so many writing how-to books that rarely do I find one that's really different. This one is. It addresses a topic that's very difficult to explain or teach, but it does so beautifully. I highly recommend it.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you read any good writing how-to books lately?
47 comments:
I only write my blog so don't read how-to-write books. I am reading a book by BBCjournalist Peter Taylor who has interviewed many IRA and Al Queda terrorists. It's very good as he tends to write about the people he has interviewed rather than his own adventures. Fascinating stuff. I saw the American version of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and was gripped.
Thanks for that recommendation. I heart Les!
Love Les's books. He has such a distinct voice of his own, I suspect he knows what he's talking about.
Glad you've seen the original movies of that series.
Reading Jessica Bell's String Bridge right now. Slowly.
Susan Fields!! I can only read one book at a time!! So am still ploughing through what I now call Lisbeth's books - well book 1!!
:-)
Take care
x
I remember trying to read Voice a few years ago but got bored with it. I'd probably feel differently about it now. Loved Hooked, though.
I'm always reading great craft books. I have a craft book addiction. :D
I'm currently reading ERAGON saga since I'm translating it for the readers in my country.
Voice is so important, to a book and its author. When that voice really shines through, it's a piece of art.
So many good books, so little time!
I'm going to have to check this one out. Thanks! One book I've enjoyed because it's helped me get out of my slump is Kristi Holl's book, Writer's First Aid. Simple, helpful and fun.
I have not but probably should as i'll be back to writing in a few weeks. I've seen a few promoted and endorsed on some blogs so that's a good start.
I have read lots of how to books, but not lately. I have tried to learn by reading favorite books, critiquing, and writing my own stuff. But I will read this one. It sounds great! Thanks for the recommendation, Susan. *waving*
Ah! I haven't read FINDING YOUR VOICE, but I've heard of it. I've never worried about finding my voice, oddly. It just is. ;o)
I bought WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL by Donald Mass; that's supposed to be a great how-to book. After I finish doing my first revision pass on my WIP, I'm going to read it and see how I can improve the story further. :)
I want to read Finding Your Voice. I was wondering if it was worth the time or not. Thanks for recommending it! I'll add it to my TBR list for when I'm finished revising.
I enjoy Hooked, will definitely try this one. Voice is so important for a writer's success!
Thanks for the recommendations. Haven't read those. Right now I'm into an adult non-fiction-- Pat Conroy's latest book. Man, he did not have a great life growing up. No wonder he has so many stories to write.
I loved your MLK day quote that you left for me on my blog. Wonderful1
Slow reader are thorough readers:) I'm half way through George R.R. Martin's _A Dance with Dragons_ and am liking it!
I've probably said this before, but I don't read writing craft books often. They give me a headache! But I keep hearing about certain good ones and I keep thinking I should try to read more. *sigh* This one does sound interesting. I'm so glad to hear it's been helpful. :)
I'm glad you mentioned this. I haven't read any writing "how-to" books yet, but I want to. I will have to check this one out. I think things like this are so helpful. Thanks for the recommendation.
I hadn't heard of that book on voice, but I heard great things about "Hooked". I'll have to pick both of them up sometime. :)
I wish I was a faster reader as well. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a long slog.
I'll have to find Les Edgerton's book now.
Scorpio Races. I loved it! I still have to read all the Steig Larssen books. I think I spelled his name wrong, oops.
I'm currently re-reading Stephen Kings "On Writing". Excellent stuff! :)
Glad you found a book that really worked, that's the best.
Happy Writing :-)
It's always good to have a how-to book recommended. Sounds like this is a good one. I'm sure he says in there somewhere not to be afraid of your voice.
Denise
Great review, Susan. I always trust your advice on books. :)
I haven't read Les's book. But I try to read one craft of writing book a year so that may be the one for 2012!
I'm reading Dance on Fire by James Garcia Jr. A vampire book which I am drawn to! Except I'm used to flying through mg's and ya and this is adult, so taking me a little longer than usual to read!
My crit group just picked up a book we are reading together and discussing at each crit group. I'm hoping it helps. =)
I LOVED Hooked! I need to check this one out...
I read Dragon Tatoo... it was a little hard to get in to, but the ending is pretty intense
I keep meaning to read Hooked and now I am intrigued by Finding Your Voice. I'm reading and loving Second Sight by Cheryl Klein as well as The Scorpio Races.
It isn't how to, but speaking of voice, I just read BLOOD RED ROAD which knocked my socks off. LOVED her voice.
Also reading Scorpio Races, which of course, is amazing.
Character and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card, one of the books in The Elements of Fiction Writing series. I'm reading Plot by Ansen Dibell now--also a good book. :)
I'd not discovered Les Edgerton before reading this, so will take your recommendation and look his crafting books up. Thanks.
Sounds great! I loved Hooked... and Edgerton actually has such a great voice himself. I kinda found my voice thru reading books and blogs.
Hi Susan, nice to meet you! I popped over from 'the BBQ'. Saw you were bringing something tasty and thought you were my kind of people. :)
The Dragon Tat is a slow read, so it isn't just you. I've recommended those books to many and always warn them that it takes until about 2/3 in to really start rolling. But it will! The other two are fabulous start-finish, so the first is worth the effort.
Be sure to let us know what you think when you finish. The new movie rules too!
EJ
I read Marion Roach Smith's book on writing memoir. Loved it. Her advice and being in the "right place" with my writing. I've written 100 pages this month using the five pages a day, five days a week method. I'm making progresss. Stopped over via the Aussie BBQ at Lynda's WIP It.
Visiting from Lynda's BBQ. It's so nice to meet you! (new follower btw).
Anyway, I recently read the book THE DARK IS RISING by Susan Cooper. A little harder than my usual YA reading, but hey, I loved it!!
Thanks for the recommendation, I'll have to check it out.
love to read books..& its being difficult to find time for myself..
Tasty Appetite
I'm reading Shatter Me right now.
I haven't heard of that book. I'm reading SEE JANE WRITE--more for chick-lit writers. But it's pretty good.
Aloha Susan,
Found you via the '80s Tumble for Ya BlogFest and hey, I'm reading the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, too. (I didn't even know the other books were out on DVD, so thanks for the heads up and you have a new, fellow coffee-drinking, insomniac follower!
Thanks for the recommendation! It sounds great! I really want to get Cheryl Klein's book, but I haven't yet. I went to a workshop she and another editor led a couple years ago, and she was incredible!
Oh, I just read the Stieg Larsson books last month. Glad you're enjoying them. I discovered Neil Gaiman a few weeks ago (I know, I know, what planet have I been on?) and I'm devouring all I can...
I need to move my copy of TGWTDT higher up my TBR pile. Also, I must see the movie.
I haven't read a craft book in a while, but I really want to get Cheryl Klein's Second Sight.
I loved Hooked too, so I'll have to make it a point to read the one about voice. I haven't read a how-to in a while.
Thanks for the recommendation! It sounds great!
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