It’s the first Wednesday of the month. Time for another of our blog father’s (Alex J. Cavanaugh) Insecure Wrtier’s Support Group Post! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. To join us go to https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
August 4 question – What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?
The awesome co-hosts this month are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!
What good would it do to mention Stephen King’s soul-baring memoir, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft? His first work, and in my opinion the best he’s ever written, completed after he almost died from a serious car crash. Should I even mention Anne Lamott’s, Bird by Bird? Her book on writing has gotten me through tough times, but so much ink has been spilt on these books. Precious ink from pens more important than mine.
Here’s what I can share. One of my treasures discovered after years of working in indie bookstores. How I Write is an essay anthology of writers like Jonathon Franzen, Joyce Carol Oates, Nicole Krauss and A.S. Byatt. It’s a collection of thoughts and epiphanies. The photography invites you into private work spaces filled with notebooks, walls of post-its, sacred squeaky chairs and more.
How I Write is edited by the creator of the cult-literary magazine Zembla, and designed by art director Vince Frost. How I Write and Strunk, White, and Kalman’s illustrated version of The Elements Of Style are what I hold to my chest when I’m feeling lost in a sea words. It’s like flipping through coffee table books filled with glossy pictures of castles and pretending one’s a princess.
What is your favorite book on writing? Happy IWSG!
Oh! I need to look for How I Write. It sounds like a really neat book to own. Thanks for sharing it with us!
It’s amazing. The Bourdain piece is so good, albeit ominous. He was such an amazing person.
King and Lamott’s books are definitely classics. I like your indie find – what a great collection of authors! I loved Bourdain – read all of his books. So much talent, so many demons in that man.
Yes. When I reread this essay after his death it felt so surreal. They say the greats predict the future in their art. Brings a shudder. I wrote a goodbye piece to him in Vinformants newsletter.
How I Write sounds amazing!
It’s fun, and it gets better with each read.
Looks like a fascinating book. It is always good to get insights from world-class authors because it reminds us they are just writers like us, facing the same struggles each day.
Truth. I like how it combines the canonized with lesser known writers. You can see through their essays both produce wonderful work.
Thanks for sharing.
Hope you’re having a pleasant, creative day.