#IWSG POST CONTAINS LIST: BOOKS ABOUT WRITING
#IWSG STAGE FRIGHT
It is the first Wednesday of the month again. It is time for Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop hosted by Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh IWSG and his co-hosts, Sarah Foster, Joylene Nowell Butler, Lily Eva, and Rhonda Albom!, stop by and say hello to them too.
Everything you read tells you to write to your reader, on your blog, when trying to figure out what to say. In the writing itself, write what you love.
I have no idea what to say to my reader. For myself as a reader, I guess I want to know, when the next new book is coming out, author events, and character tidbits. Some of that I can do, but some of it I am not at a point to do it. I worry about not doing enough, or doing it wrong, or not being interesting. I know sometimes I feel like a deer in the headlights, or maybe a better depiction is an actor on stage in the sun of the spotlight, and I have stage fright.
The thing that has affected my writing, and help me grow as a writer the most is Holly Lisle courses. I am so thankful I found her.
Holly Lisle Writing Courses & Forums
Here
Disclosure: I have never regretted the investment in myself, and my writing. I believe in her courses, so much I became an affiliate. What that means if you buy through the link I included above, I could receive compensation for the recommendation, but I recommend it anyway, whether you use my link or not.
All the social media stuff you have to do is overwhelming, time consuming, and at times, just too much.
Most useful social media for me, so far:
LINKEDIN writer discussion groups, TWITTER, TRIBERR, FACEBOOK a little.
Joining groups/ blog hops/tours such as:
Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Writer’s supporting other writers blog hop HERE
Pay It Forward Blog Hop
I am not sure where this one started, but if you google it you will find all kinds of blogs over the net participating even today. It has been carried forward for a good while now. I was asked to play by E. E. Giorgo HERE, and this led to me being featured in Venture Galleries HERE by FCEtier.
Blog Hop Tours e.g. Weekend Warriors, HERE
Meet My Character Blog Tour started HERE I have been asked to play, and you will see a post from me for it in the near future.
A-Z Writing Challenge HERE I did not participate in the April 2014 challenge, but I may catch them next year.
What is A-Z Challenge, HERE
Participating in NaNoWriMo National Writing Month in November, and CampNaNoWriMo in April and July. You can also find unofficial Camp NaNo’s in off months. HERE
SOME FAVORITE WRITING BOOKS I get a lot from reading books about writing.
I have read the majority of Holly Lisle’s works and own her courses, but this is a favorite of her short courses. (I recommend her fiction too, if you love fantasy & sci-fi)
Disclosure: I have never regretted the investment in myself, and my writing. I believe in her courses, so much I became an affiliate. What that means if you buy through the link I included above, I could receive compensation for the recommendation, but I recommend it anyway, whether you use my link or not.
The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writer’s third edition, by Christopher Vogler (One of my all-time favorites)
HERE
Hooked by Les Edgeton (One of my very favorite)
Writer’s Digest over the years has been full of helpful advice, and teaching skills. (One of my favorite article is “The Triple O-Method Exercise”)
Write, Publish, Repeat (The No-Luck_Required Guide to Self-Publishing Success) by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant. (There website and fiction is fun too)
Show & Tell In a Nutshell by Jessica Bell
Writing Active Setting by Mary Buckham (This link is a complete box set deal with bonus HOOKS)
The 38 Most Common Writing Mistakes by Jack Bickman
Elements of Fiction: This is a whole series, below my favorite two:
Descriptions by Monica Woods from 1999 (can only get used now)
HERE
Conflict and Suspense by James Scott Bell
Write Great Fiction Series (favorite Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell)
Writing With Emotion, Tension, and Conflict: Techniques for Crafting an Expressive and Compelling Novel by Cheryl St. John
Immediate Fiction by Jerry Cleaver
SOME ADD ONS SINCE THE ORIGINAL POST
Rivet Your Reader With Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Flaws by Angela Ackerm
The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Attributes by Angela Ackerm
Some of My Favorites
Amazon.com Link for the book The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler. One of favorite non-fiction books is “The Writer’s Journey Mythic Structure For Writers” 2nd Edition, by Christopher Vogler. A lot of this writer’s theories are based on the books written by Joseph Campbell “The Hero’s Journey” and “A Hero With A Thousand Faces”.
Paperback (No longer offered in kindle that I can find. The Writer’s Journey: Mthic Structure For Writers 3rd Edition by Christopher Vogler
Audio Book links by Vogler
Using the Power of Myth In Story
How To Create Powerful Narratives Using the Myths That Link Us All. Using The Power of Myth In Story is a workshop.
This is a DVD by Christopher Vogler and Michael Hauge. This is the same subject matter, but there are thing in the DVD that are in Christopher’s books, because they come from Michael Hauge.
I LAUGHT TILL I CRIED AT THESE CATS. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE VIDEO
photo credit: Andreas D. via photopin cc
feature photo bigstock-Books-1647172.jpg
Appendix List of Post For Writer’s for your convenience, or you can just scroll down through them.
Want To Be A Featured Guest Author On My Blog?
So many great links & resources. Thanks! Yeah, I know what you mean about struggling with what readers will want to hear. Blog hops and other events do a pretty good job of keeping me fed w/ ideas for content.
I suppose I do not feel as articulate, or eloquent as some bloggers are, but it has helped me a bit too, watching others. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Thanks for this great list of books! Though I probably provide too much silly information on my blog, I’m more comfortable there then on Facebook. I haven’t even been brave enough to try Twitter yet.
Thank you for commenting. They are all great book IMHO. I thought that, but Twitter kind takes care of itself, while FB grows more slowly. I have a long way to go with that one. LINKEDIN groups for writers had taken a life for itself. I have been amazed at connections, and some offers, and all I did was participate in discussions. I really have not promoted myself at all. I am just getting my feet wet for the real challenge once I have a specific thing to promote.
Great selection of books.
I’m all too familiar with that stage fright thing. I’ve been blogging for four years, but only recently been sharing more about myself. But quite frankly, I really don’t think I’m that interesting, so yeah, it’s not been easy.
I agree, it is not easy. I do not think I am all that interesting either. LOL, I enjoy your blog, so I can say you are interesting, and very insightful and helpful. Here is to blogging. Thank you for taking the time to stop by, and comment.
Nice library. I too have something similar. 🙂
COOL! Thank you. I appreciate the comment.
Wow, this is a fantastic resource which I am bookmarking for later. I too struggle with social media and am not that good at it. Nanowrimo is what finally got my book started, now to just finish it.
Giggles, bounces up and down in her seat. You bookmark my site. How cool is that. I am so glad you found it helpful. Feel free to comment, and interact with me. I would love it.
PS I did NaNo first November 2013, did not make my goal. I did April & July Camp NaNo 2014 set my goal at 20,000 and went over it about 1500 words. NaNo definitely got me into the daily writing habit. I have written everyday, since that November.
You have provided so much information. Thank you.
LOL, I know, too much. I took some of it out today to make it an easier read. Sorry for the overload. When I have nothing to say, or don’t know what to say I ramble. @@ Stage Fright. I need to get a handle on that. Thank you for stopping by, and commenting.
It can be hard to figure out exactly what kind of blog you want to have, but fortunately a blog can evolve along with you so you’re never tied down to a format you don’t like or have grown tired of. I love what you’ve been doing so far though (I read all your posts, even if I don’t always have time to comment. 🙂 ) –you have a nice mix of stories, personal anecdotes, and book promotions.
I think the most important thing is to have fun with it! I’m pretty sure that if you’re having fun, readers and fellow bloggers will have fun with you.
Great list of writing craft books! I might have to pick some of those up. 😉
Kirsten you are the one who has given me the courage to attempt blogging at all. You have been inspiring, as well as helpful, when I did not know how to do something. Watching you has taught me a lot too. You are the one who introduced me to IWSG, and it has been a joyful ride and learning experience, and I made new friends. Thank you for that.
Reading your stuff has been inspiring. I feel, so honored that you trusted me to share with me. I need to finish your story. I have been so involved with my own stuff. I need to shoot your work to my kindle. I sort of forgot you told me how to do it. I will do that after this comment, so I don’t forget. I told you I would get back to you after April, but then the expansion in June with Holly’s course, and NaNo in July, and currently my writing a short story to send out for submission, reasons maybe, but mostly it is not managing my time very well.
I am tickled to know you read me, and enjoy what I have done. I am having fun. I love the little thrill I get, when I read comments like yours. Thank you for taking the time to post today. I actually miss talking to you more, lol, but we are always writing @@. Okay, we are being good girls doing that, but still I miss our conversations.
You should try some of the books. They are very insightful books, IMHO, and they have helped me too. Nothing like Holly’s courses, but I learned reading them.
You make the smiley faces too, how’d you do that?
HUGS & Best Wishes Always
Where would I be without my smiles? All I did was the usual colon/right parenthesis thing, and there it was. The software must have converted it.
So this : plus this ) equals 🙂
And don’t worry about getting to my story. I would be just as happy to have you beta read the revised version if you don’t get to this one in time. 🙂
I would be honored to beta read, and that goes on my writing schedule, no delays, when you are ready for beta input.
I have already moved the story you sent to my Kindle, and I read a little before bed, but then I am not really beta reading it for you right now, just enjoying an interesting story. I am honored you felt you could share it with me, before the next edit.
thanks so much for all the recommendations, I wish I had the time to go through the whole list! how about you tutor me? 🙂 and LOL at the kittens, too cute… oh, and as for your question, I think the best thing is to be sincere, you know? write what you love and write honestly and readers will appreciate it! I do, I always enjoy your posts and can’t wait to read your book! 🙂
LOL, I have read your book. I think you need to tutor me. Thank you. I just hope I can do it, write the book that is, because sometimes I have trouble getting the words out in a way I want, word choices, and figuring out how to convey what i am doing. I started your 2nd book last night. I really appreciate you, and your stopping by. Your comments, and encouragement mean a lot to me. HUGS
How’d you make those smiley faces appear?
I enjoy doing guest spots as well as hosting others on my site.
Do I appeal to my readers? That I have no idea. I blog about what I enjoy, which usually centers around my genre. I admit I don’t mention my books or my work often though. I still find that… awkward.
LOL, Don’t take this wrong, but I find that reassuring. Thank you for taking time to stop by, and post. I find it all awkward truthfully, but I want to do this, so here I go.
I’m in shock. I’ve read almost every single one of those books! (Sitting up straighter now) As a reader I want to know the world is really a small place, and no matter where we live, we’re connected. Thanks for all you do, Juneta.
Thanks Joylene. I do appreciate you stopping by to check out my post.. I like that thought too the connection. I am finding it truer and truer all the time.