A Basket Full of Miracles
Friday, August 24, 2012 at 10:51AM 
Word count: 486 Reading time: 2-3 minutes
When I learned to scuba dive in the Pacific Northwest, it wasn’t a laidback, warm water experience. The environment posed the biggest threat so I’d don my 40 lb drysuit, heft my 25 lb weight belt, and pick up my 35 lb tank. Then I’d start the long descent to the beach. Adrenaline lightened my load as I anticipated sinking into the dark, frigid ocean. After an exhilarating, sometime dangerous, dive I’d surface and have to haul all that gear back to where I parked.
As I picked my way across kelp-slippery rocks and up rough steep tracks, I’d tell myself not to look at the long stretch that separated me from my car. I’d get there, one step at a time. When did I forget that simple philosophy?
Over the years I’ve amassed a small collection of writing reference books. Trouble is I sometimes buy them, read a random chapter or two, and then file them. Recently, I’ve added a few more to the collection. Then I set them around the house like land mines: on a side table in the living room, on the mantelpiece, beside the bed and on my dresser – anywhere that I am likely to trip over them. They aren’t going back onto the shelves until I’ve finished them, cover to cover. The ones I’m reading (simultaneously) right now are:
- Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg – I love her theories of free writing for a more physical connection with the work and to unearth long-buried feelings.
- Reading Like A Writer – Francine Prose – I had forgotten her invaluable advice on how to get the most out of the hours spent lost in fiction. A must for anyone who wants to write.
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers – Renni Browne & Dave King – I wish I’d read this years ago. It gives such a different approach to revising one’s own work.
- Steal Like An Artist – Austin Kleon – this is my latest and I’m reading it for a second time this summer because he offers grounded, often humorous, advice on everything from an artist’s social life to his or her financial management.
I found many treasures had been buried in my bookshelves for far too long. Now they are helping me as I revise my YA novel, due for release in Spring 2014.
So, just like I climbed up the beach with my scuba gear, one step at a time, I’m working through them, page by page. In fact it’s almost Bird By Bird. Thank you Anne Lamott. It’s amazing how much we can do when we concentrate on what is in front of us and stop thinking about the faraway goal.
What books are you reading to help your craft? Do you buy reference books, skim them, and then set them aside for another day? Are there any more books I should be reading?
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Scuba photo: Cathy Komar
Anne Lamott, Austin Kleon, Bird by Bird, Cathy Komar, Francine Prose, Natalie Goldberg, Reading Like a Writer, Renni Browne & Dave King, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Steal Like An Artist, Writing Down the Bones, emerging writers in Emerging writers, Favourite Books, Revising fiction, Rewriting, Writer's journey, Writers' training
Reader Comments (8)
Great choices! I have all four of the books you listed, as well as Bird by Bird. My all-time favourites are Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones and, of course, Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird. Also good is: Elements of Style by Williuam Strunk, Jr.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers sounds like a good reference, as do the others. Thanks for the lowdown on four helpful writing books.
I have recently enjoyed Wayne Booth's "The Company We Keep", which is not so much about writing as reading, but still very useful.
Hi Judy
The Elements of Style is a great reference book. I particularly love the fact that was co-written by the author of Charlotte's Web. I have it in paperback and hardcover: one here, one there. Like dicitonaries
Maggie
Hello Sandra,
Thanks for stopping by. Another ancient but seminal book on writing is The Craft of Writing by William C. Knott. Originally published in 1977, it's now in its fourth edtion.
In the first chapter "The Precarious Profession" Knott warns us that "Writers do not make very much money." So it's as relevant today as it was when he first wrote it.
Unfortunately.
Maggie
Hey, Alyssa
I hadn't heard of Wayne Booth or any of his books.
Once I get through my current lot, it looks like The Company We Keep should be the next addition to the library.
Thanks!
Maggie
Great blog! It reminds me of one of the writing tips from '30 Indispensable Writing Tips from Famous Authors.'
"Abandon the idea that you are ever going to finish. Lose track of the 400 pages and write just one page for each day, it helps. Then when it gets finished, you are always surprised."
--John Steinbeck
Love that quote!
Thanks, Allison.
Maggie