This collection of essays about making a living as a fiction writer had me laughing out loud and reading extended sections (when I could get them out without cracking up) to my critique group and long-suffering husband. Besides being a healthy dose of fun, these essays were practical and encouraging. …
I meant to get a book on writing children's lit from the library, but it wasn't in, and this was near the empty spot in the stacks (with the "chick lit" part of the title conveniently covered by the library's bar code). So, I picked it up. I'm glad I…
Not strictly a book on writing--but a workbook for being creative as a believer. My Sunday school class at The Rising (I miss you guys more than I can say) went through this last year. I appreciated the push to use our whole self (imagination included) in the service of…
Writing Stories: Fantastic Fiction from Start to Finish aims to help middle grade students get started writing fiction. This slim little volume packs a lot of good advice, and it contains a fair few writing exercises that would seem like good ways to get going on a story if I…
What is Robert's Rules of Writing? I picked this book of short essays (tips) on writing in a thrift store because the price was right, but I knew I’d enjoy it when the very first rule was “Burn your Journal.” Though plenty of writers I know find journals helpful, I’ve…
I read 2,000-10,000 after it was recommended by one of the other members of my critique group (Kendrick E. Knight, who writes delightful science fiction available on amazon). I couldn’t claim to be writing anything like 2,000 words to start with and was interested in seeing how this woman increased…
The Deluxe Transitive Vampire, believe it or not, is a book on English grammar. (It’s subtitled The Ultimate Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed.) As such, it’s a lucid explanation of parts of speech and basic syntax, with entertaining examples, whimsical illustrations, and a vivid…
Lots of writing friends have recommended Goal, Motivation & Conflict, and I’ve finally read it. I think it has some great content.It would have made an excellent brochure or conference workshop. It could have been an enlightening series of blog posts. As a book, it’s a bit fluffy. Don’t get…