Got Christmas Cash to Spend on Writing Resources?
If you are a writer and got Christmas cash or bookstore gift cards, he are a few books to look at to get your new year off to an inspired start:
From Jessica:
This year has been an exciting year for me. I experienced my first SCBWI conference in Oklahoma City, joined a critique group, and finally admitted to people that I am a writer. As part of WWAT, I was asked to pick one book that has really helped my craft this year
I have never been really good at following directions, however, I do enjoy to share.
The books I would recommend include: Word Magic for Writers by Cindy Rogers, Write your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell, Getting into Character by Brandilyn Collins, and Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole.
I’d also recommend checking out K.M Weiland’s blog: http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
But if I had to choose, the most helpful source was Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole. It covered everything from starting your story, to plot, characters, theme, and voice. It has been my go to book. It has a little of everything and has become my map when I have lost my writing direction.
Here’s to Happy Writing in the New Year!
Jessica Lyn Toman
Bell, James Scott. Write Your Novel from the Middle: A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers, and Everyone in Between. Woodland Hills, California: Compendium Press, 2014.
Collins, Brandilyn. Getting into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2002.
Kole, Mary. Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer’s Digest Books, 2012.
Rogers, Cindy. Word Magic For Writers: Your source for Powerful Language that Enchants, Convinces, and Wins Readers. West Redding, CT: Writer’s Institute Publications, 2004, 2013.
From M.M. Cox
I love Plot Versus Character by Jeff Gerke and Outlining Your Novel by K.M. Weiland. Both have made me a much more thoughtful and organized writer. One of the biggest things is learning to think of each chapter, novel, and series has having a beginning, middle, and end (introducing all the main points, complicating the matter, and climax/denoument).
Here are the links:
http://www.amazon.com/Plot-Versus-Character-Balanced-Approach/dp/1582979928
From John Davidson
I second the Mary Kole book mentioned by Jessica.
I also love another book by James Scott Bell,Revision and Self-Editing for Publication, 2nd Edition http://www.writersdigestshop.com/revision-self-editing-for-publication-2nd-edition-u1867. As writers we often hear “show don’t tell” but that might leave us saying, “Don’t tell me that, show me what you mean.” Bell does a great job of doing that in this book.
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