Not all books on writing are real. Well, of course, since they’re published and sold in book stores, technically, they’re “real.” But, if you’ve acquired a room full of writing books and/or you’ve camped out by the shelves of your local library or bookstore, you know that not everything is palatable to the writer’s taste buds.
And then, there are books that stand out as if they were wearing neon jackets in a formal dinner party filled with ‘black-tie’ books. They seem to light up, explode, and draw you in. And, they become writers’ best friends - all ragged, dog-eared, marked, and highlighted.
Often, you will find yourself back to it again and again - like a real best buddy - when you feel stuck, needing encouragement and inspiration, wishing to find a companion in an alone journey. A good writing book does all that. Maybe even more.
A couple of years ago, a good writer-friend lent me a copy of Ray Bradbury’s ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING. She “ooohhhed” and “aaahhhhed” about the book and the author. I had no clue who he was and what the fuss was all about.
While I began to read, the reason dawned on me. You see, in-between chapters, I’d often fumble for my pen and notebook. Taking notes and writing notes on my notes. Although it may feel as if it’s mostly writing endless pieces of nonsense scribbles, the long term lessons I learned then carries over until now. There wasn’t much instruction in the book. There was no “how-to-do-so-and- so”. But, the book lit a match and fired something that kept me wanting to write more.
Good reason enough to “oohh” and “aahh” a writing book, right?
Whether Mr. Bradbury’s book is in your “oohh” and “aahh” list or not, many writers who read writing books agree on some basic stuff. That is, a Good Writing Book gives you back something in return for your reading time and effort (as well as money in many cases) other than plain instruction or published words in book-bound paper.
Reader-writers believe that a good book should be able to fire you up like firecrackers in a new year or independence day celebration. It should allow you to catch the writing bug and equip you well. And on top of it all, a real writers’ book inspires you enough to put it down and let you write, write, write.
Some Writing Books In My “Oohh” and “Aahh” List: (I’ve got more, of course, so I plan to share more in the future. Feel free to share yours too!)
1) WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg (Shambhala)
2) FREEING YOUR CREATIVITY by Marshall J. Cook (Writers Digest)
3) READY TO WRITE by Willy Marquez (OMF Publishers)
4) CREATIVE WRITING: A PRACTICAL GUIDE by Julia Casterton (Macmillan)
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