... a little fact
Yesterday I finished the cut and paste job on the first four chapters of Accidentally On Purpose. I've also got about half way through chapter 5. And for the first time, it feels like I have something which may actually eventually become a novel! This is quite a breakthrough!
Now I have the following 'how to' books to read.
The Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery by Robert J Ray and Jack Remick
How To Write A Damn Good Novel by James N Frey
The main problem I have with 'how to' books is that I tend to end up reading them at times when I have no chance of doing any writing, so I worry that I won't implement the ideas I've read and I'll end up losing them.
Does anyone else have that problem, and has anyone read either of these books?
Meanwhile
I had an email from This England magazine yesterday to say that the edition with my story Reflections in will be available really soon. This story is very important to me as it is about my parents, so it will be really exciting to finally see it in print.
Welcome To My Blog
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
There's something about 'how to' books that gets me all fired and then strangely despondent afterwards. I think it's because there's often just too much information to implement that it's overwhelming. Maybe just highlight some of the best bits and then refer to them when you're back to writing.
Well done on your 'This England' story. That must mean so much to you.
xx
I've read How to write a damn good novel and it's damn good! There's a follow-up, which is published under the title How to write damn good fiction but was previously How to write a damn good novel II - also extremely good.
Brilliant - let us know when the This England issue is out, I'd love to read your article.
Thats fantastic re: This England story!
I buy 'how to' books but I never read them. E.M Forster's 'Aspects of the Novel' seems to be the exception.
I'm guilty of buying a LOT of 'how to' book but I'm a bit of a flicker and rarely read them cover to cover (there's only so many times I can read about POV!). My current favourite is Sol Stein's solutions for writers and I immediately flicked to the sections on Suspense and Tension in a novel (which is particularly relevant to my rewrite). How to Write Damned Good Fiction is one of my all time favourite How To book and I've read it several times. I think you'll enjoy it. (And I ditto Caroline's comment on Damned Good II)
Lane - yes the story means a lot. I can't wait to see it actually in print.
Caroline - all these 'damns' flying about feels a bit naughty doesn't it!?
Womagwriter - yes - I will, I think it should be in the next couple of weeks.
Pacha - I should read the E M Forster book I think!
Cally - There are so many aren't there? Perhaps I should add Sol Stein to my list as well! Good to hear the James Frey is worth reading.
I don't read anything like How To books without making copious notes. Which might help me remember it all later, if it wasn't for the fact that i usually lose the notes!
Congratulations on your story! Looking forward to reading it.
:o)
I've read loads of 'how to' writing books, which I read avidly, but haven't come across either of those.
Damn. Now I'll have to get them!
I've read How to Write a Damn Good Novel and I found it very inspiring! I just finished reading Solutions for Writers by Sol Stein and I was worried that I'd forget it all (use it or lose it!) so I made notes. I'll read through them before rewriting each section of my novel now.
I find that when I read 'how to' books I'm inspired but then forget most of the important bits as soon as I try to put it into practise.
I would love to read your story, it will be lovely for you to see it in print.
Moondreamer - yes, I need the discipline to make notes I think!
karen - the list of must read books just goes up and up!
Yvonne - I must get the Sol Stein now that two people have recommended it
Debs - I can't wait for the magazine to arrive now!
I've read How to Write a Damn Good Novel, and found it very useful. However, my favourite 'how to' book is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne & Dave King. I cannot recommend this one highly enough. I think the Amazon review said, buy this, and you'll never buy another [how to book]. The reviewer was right, I've not bought another one since!
Congratulations on your story. I love it when a blogger announces a success - it spurs me on to submit some more stories. Part of me still wants to hide them away though.
I have the James Frey book, but it's languishing in my TBR pile. I must hook it out now everyone's said how good it is. And Leigh's suggestion sounds good too. So many books to read, aarrggh!!
Congratulations on the story!
Hi Helen, just popped over to leave you a big hug ... because you're lovely!
(Have left a longer answer to your message at mine!)
:o)
Post a Comment