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Pat McManus' an author, professor of literature and lecturer on writing..
Bel,
His many books are extremely entertaining, funny, addictive and collectively, they amount to vibrant examples of what one can and should do, when creative-writing, regardless of whether one intends to write humor, a fiction novel, science fiction, thrillers, mysteries, or become a newspaper columnist.
If you can read just two pages of any of his books and not clearly see this, you might wish to look for different literary pursuits, like composing textbooks, or operators manuals. I'm sure that there probably are a few people who are satisfied with making their living that way. However, the same can probably be said, for accountants, dog catchers, and ditch diggers, I suppose. Personally, ..... just as soon milk skunks, by hand, as do any of those things, and I suspect that you will agree, that if something isn't any fun, it isn't likely that I would ever have become any good at doing it. It probably wouldn't pay well, either.
You are a very good writer, due to a combination of good schooling, intelligence, natural talent, and a life crammed chock-full of memorable, and informative experiences. None of those experiences have escaped our memories, because they each taught us something.
To be able tonumbers of others, from experiencing our own painful folly, must be VERY satisfying and worthy of learning how to do it.
Guy
posted by
northsage_45
on October 30, 2010 at 7:42 AM
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Bel
I'm afraid that none of the books I would recommend are in any way useful for helping you write, and frankly, I haven't even looked for that kind of material! But if you find some that
do prove helpful, let me know, maybe they'd get even
me to start writing...
posted by
Nautikos
on October 29, 2010 at 10:21 AM
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Bel
I love Natalie's books and I have 2 of them. "Writing Down the Bones" and "Wild Mind". Now if you ever want a used book inexpensively go to:
news@newsletter.abebooks.com or Abebooks.com.
posted by
WileyJohn
on October 28, 2010 at 7:02 PM
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keep descriptive writing to a minimum....and good luck with the write
.......the knotted pine walls, gave clue to the age of the cottage.........I can see it and that is all your reader wants.
posted by
Kabu
on October 28, 2010 at 11:51 AM
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I have that book of Natalies but truthfully, dog-eared pages and I never completed...however that's my history. I have a library (no joke) with hundreds, okay, probably more books and added with all best intentions. Now I am having to gift and box up for a smaller library in our retirement spot. It's a 'way' smaller nook and nook. Now, for today I am reading "May Sarton - biography". It's whatever strikes me and she was next to Georgia O'Keefes biography...I'm finding it well written by :Margot Peters. And sad at times and interesting and ~ well, it's dog-eared middle way so I'm not certain in between all I have here to do I will complete. I will be interested in finding out which book (s) you've chosen. Elyse
posted by
elysianfields
on October 28, 2010 at 10:52 AM
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On Writing Well by Robert Zimmer.
posted by
Amanda__
on October 28, 2010 at 8:00 AM
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There's one book that will really help.
"No Plot? No Problem!" by Chris Baty, who founded NaNoWriMo. It's a fast read, plugs you in to the history of this motivational tool, and relieves stress about the 50K words in 30 days. It's a how-to that's better than chocolate. You can get it at Borders and probably any other big box bookstore.
posted by
Pat_B
on October 28, 2010 at 5:40 AM
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If you don't mind a fantasy theme try Guy Gavriel Kay or Tad Williams, both are adept at describing just enough to give the impression they want and to allow the reader to fill in the details themselves.
posted by
lionreign
on October 28, 2010 at 4:07 AM
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Read Patrick McManus! ANYTHING by Patrick McManus!
posted by
northsage_45
on October 28, 2010 at 3:56 AM
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I can't think of any books off hand Bel but my experience has been that writing fiction is like telling a child a story... you make it up as you go along, and since nothing is off the table it is amazing what your imagination can do once you have set it lose... Just jump in and try it! Be well and good luck! xoxoxo
PS... try reading good fiction stories like Jules Verne or Jack London if you haven't, or even if you have, revisit them... They are inspiring :-)
posted by
Sinome
on October 28, 2010 at 3:44 AM
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No help from me I'm afraid.
posted by
TAPS.
on October 27, 2010 at 10:43 PM
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Bel
Y Story by Robert Mckee. HarperCollins love. BC-A, Bill’s RTTst
posted by
BC-A
on October 27, 2010 at 9:24 PM
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A book that I use extensively is 'How To Tell A Story The Secrets Of Writing Captivating Tales' by Peter Rubie and Gary Provost
ISBN 0-89879-809-4 It's out of print but can be found on Amazon Good luck with the competition, you can do it! Just keep it simple! sam
posted by
sam444
on October 27, 2010 at 8:46 PM
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