On Writing
- The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
- Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood
- Burning Questions: Essays and Occasional Pieces, 2004-2021 by Margaret Atwood
- The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface by Donald Mass
- The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White
- First You Write: The Worst Way to Become an Almost Famous Author And The Best Advice I Got While Doing It by Joni Rodgers
- How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth by Meg Bowles, et al
- Kill the Dog: The First Book on Screenwriting to Tell You the Truth by Paul Guyot
- On Writers and Writing by Margaret Atwood
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
- Words Are My Matter: Writing About Life and Books, 2000-2016, with a Journal of a Writer's Week by Ursula K. Le Guin
- Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg
Some books worthy of your writers library. I am particularly fond of Margaret Atwood and Stephen King's perspectives on the craft of writing. I like to listen to them on Audible when I am driving or working in my art studio. There is something about hearing their actual voices that inspires me. If you have favorites to recommend, please let me know.
And this time of year, keep an eye out for 50% off Black Friday deals from MasterClass! https://www.masterclass.com/categories/writing-3 Regularly $180, I pay just $90 for an annual subscription during Black Friday. It is another wonderful source of encouragement throughout the year. I love learning.
Writing Prompts to Stimulate Creativity
I always carry with me to our in-person writing sessions this book of writing prompts, just in case:
5,000 WRITING PROMPTS: A Master List of Plot Ideas, Creative Exercises, and More by Bryn Donovan.
If you are stuck and don't know what to write, you can always choose a writing prompt or let me pick one for you.
Your Author Bio
An author biography "bio" is written in 3rd person, like you are talking about someone else. For example, I might say, "Carmen Lane is an artist and writer from Olympia. She is..." Consider your target audience and tailor it for your specific purpose. Write several versions of your bio. Get started by writing a simple and succinct 2 to 4-sentence version. This bio is bare bones. It is YOU as a writer in a nutshell. Then expand it with another a more detailed, personalized version. Have a version of your bio that is 100-150 words. Have another that is 300 words. See which one best suits your purpose. Here is a site that offers helpful templates and examples: https://www.hypotenuse.ai/blog/author-bio
Reach out to me if you would like to be featured on Cascadia Writers.
Editing Your Own Writing
How to edit your manuscript, according to Google
"1. Developmental and structural editing
- Take a break: Put your manuscript aside for a while to gain fresh perspective before you begin.
- Review the big picture: Read through your manuscript to identify major issues, such as a weak plot, inconsistent characters, or pacing problems.
- Focus on story: Ensure the character's growth is clear, the conflicts are effective, and each scene is from a single point of view.
- Trim the fat: Cut unnecessary words, sentences, or entire scenes that don't contribute to the plot or slow down the pacing.
- Restructure if needed: Rework scenes that feel rushed or don't work anymore, and consider rearranging scenes to improve the story's flow.
2. Copy and line editing
- Go line-by-line: Read through the manuscript to fix grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues.
- Polish your prose: Focus on sentence structure, word choice, and flow.
- Eliminate repetition: Identify and replace "crutch words" or adverbs that are used too often.
- Strengthen verbs: Convert passive voice to active voice and replace weak verbs.
- Maintain consistency: Ensure a consistent tone and style throughout the manuscript.
3. Proofreading and feedback
- Get outside feedback: Ask beta readers to provide objective feedback on the story and its elements.
- Hire a professional: Consider hiring a professional copy editor or proofreader for a final review to catch any remaining errors.
- Make final corrections: Incorporate feedback and corrections, and then give the manuscript one last read-through to ensure everything is polished."
