I’m not sure if many of you know this, and maybe it’s a little hard to
believe with some of the drivel I put up on this blog but once upon a time I went to University and got myself a little
degree in Media Communications and Creative Writing. Not knowing (and still, I’ve
yet to figure out) what to do with my life, I decided to stay on for a further
2 years and gain my Masters in Writing Studies.
So, for 5 years I studied writing of various kinds, in various ways and
wrote a lot. Mainly scripts and long
fictional pieces in which someone usually died or, as the plot for my final
manuscript turned out, was actually already dead. I’m not morbid, I swear!
Things just turned out that way.
I’ve always loved writing, and studying it allowed me to unleash that
creative passion. True, I don’t write creatively
as often as I used to, I still have my blog and I still get those sparks every
now and again to put pen to paper and create a little world of my own. Who
knows, I might actually find the time to stick with it one day and finally write that book I’ve been promising
myself!
Whether you write scripts, or poems, or blog
posts, there is still an element of creativity there and every now and then you
find yourself staring at a blank page in total horror. You have no idea what to
write, you freeze up, you doubt yourself and your capabilities. You close down
the word processor, you pace, you open it back up again….still, your creative
well is running dry as a bone so you throw in the towel and walk away.
We’ve all been there.
There’s a stack of books I keep on my desk for
such occasions. A chapter here and there, an exercise or two and I’m back on
the starting line. I thought it might be worthwhile sharing those with you, and
in the process give my own lazy creative ass a good kicking whilst I’m here!
No Plot? No Problem! –
Chris Baty £8
Ever heard of NaNoWriMo? National Novel Writing Month takes place every
November and challenges participants to write 50,000 words of a fictional piece
in just 30 days! I’ve been
attempting this challenge for a few years now and my best for the month is
around 21,000 words! Coincidently, this book is exactly 50,000 words long too,
written by the founder of NaNoWriMo, Chris Baty. Full of ideas, pep talks,
survival guides and stratergies for getting through the gruelling 30 days, I
find it works wonders outside of NaNoWriMo too. It’s great for those moments where you literally have no
idea what to write!
The Imagineers of Disney are some of the most ingeniously creative
people you could ever want to meet – what I wouldn’t give to be trapped on a
dessert island with these folks! If you know anything about Disney and the Disney theme parks you’ll know that everything,
form trash cans to trees and pavement stones are there for a reason. Every little detail tells a
story and boy, do these guys know how to tell a story! This book doesn’t just
tell you to think outside the box, it urges you to throw away the box and come
at any and all issues from the craziest of angles!
Negotiating with the
dead – Margaret Atwood £6
I had a strong internal debate about whether or not to include this one.
However, I love Atwood so it was a given it would be here. Have you ever asked
a writer why they wrote something?
Have you ever ask a writer why they
write? This book goes straight to the messed up crazy core of what it is to
be a writer, and generally leaves
you with those ‘deep thinking’ kind of questions that keep you awake till 2am.
It’s all about the writing life, the struggles, the duplicity of a writers
personality and just what in this crazy world has led them down this life of
words and solitude.
Writing Short Stories –
Ailsa Cox £15
Well, Ailsa was one of my tutors for those 5 years at University so how
could I not include her book?
Writing short stories might not, on the surface, appear to be about writing
blog posts but (OK, so this post aside!) what are most blog posts but condensed
down thoughts, similar to short stories being condensed down novels? If you’ve
ever wanted to know how to say as much as possible with as few a words as you
can and still make sense, this book is for you. And, if you’ve ever thought
about dabbling in short story writing, you might pick up a trick or two here
too!
Seen as though this post is pretty long, I’ve split it in two, so 4 more books to get your creative
juices flowing will be coming to you shortly! That should give you enough time
to at least go pick up one of these books and report back to me!
Now tell me, have you found anything here useful? Could you recommend any
similar books I’ve yet to mention? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time,
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