So what does the Bloginator WriteWell 2000 have for you today? A tasty little treat about some books that I've loved about the art of writing. If you're a writer, check these out.
Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Written by Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame, this book is a delightful, worshipful ode to creativity. With her unique spiritual insight, Gilbert gives us plenty of reasons to revere, honour, and pay homage to creativity like we would a goddess we seek a blessing from. You can’t help be renewed in your desire to seek out creativity’s touch as often as possible and wonder at its magic when it deigns to gift you a zap of inspiration.
If you’re a writer needing a comforting hug and a kick in the pants, Gilbert grabs her tie-dyed pompoms and cheers us on as we embrace creativity and all her wonderful weirdness.
Christopher Volger’s The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
Warning! If you read this book, you’ll never look at a Disney movie the same way. (I’m looking at you Star Wars). Examining in details the eight character archetypes and 15 stages of the hero’s journey, this book originally came out in the old-ish times of 1992.
Drawing examples from blockbuster movies it’s easy to see how this book remains so popular even as the 25th anniversary edition came out in 2020. I read this book when I was fully obsessed with becoming a screenwriter. Needless to say, that didn’t happen, but I still adore it when I spot a “Call to Adventure” or a triumphant “Return with the Magic Elixir” when I’m watching a movie or reading a book. Even if you vow never to use a stitch of it in your own writing, it’s kind of impossible to escape.
Chuck Wendig’s The Kick-Ass Writer: 1,001 to Write Great Fiction, Get Published, and Earn Your Audience
If you’re looking for some nuggets that will spice up your writing journey today, and you want to laugh out loud at the same time, this book is for you. Chuck Wendig has to be one of the funniest writers out there. Few books (never mind writing books) have made me laugh so hard, I’ve tracked down family members in the house just so I could read them the passage. Mostly, to be met with an indulgent chuckle. Maybe you have to be a writer to appreciate it. Whatever. My point is sometimes you can get so bogged down in all the writing rules or dictums from writing experts that storytelling turns into un-fun story chore-ing.
It’s like a breathe of fresh air to read the irreverent and ridiculous antics of Wendig. Read this book and you'll know how to create a beloved character, ruin the character’s life, create a story that gains millions of fans, find massive success and have fun doing it. Okay, only some of those things are true.
I've read tons of books on writing, but these three have been my favourites. Find them at your local bookstore or order them from your favourite vendor. And let me know in the comments what are your favourite books on writing?
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