As always a thoughtful and inspiring piece about the true creative writing process, giving due credit to a slow and speculative beginning. It is a way of telling a deep truth.
What a fascinating way to find your path into a story. It's very attractive. Thank you for recommending Louise de Salvo's book. Do you have any recommendations for help with reading like a writer, just to make sure I'm on the right track, please?
Thank you so much - Reading Like a Writer, by Francine Prose is the book you want. I’m convinced it’s a crucial skill to develop if we want to improve our work. Good luck x
I’ve looked at Prose before, but the blurb suggests that it relates primarily to fiction. Would you say it has something to offer writers of creative non-fiction, too? (I feel there’s no substitute for asking someone who’s read it -- thanks.)
I read it too long ago now to be certain but I don’t see why the basic principles wouldn’t apply i.e. reading the genre you want to write in, finding what works, what you admire and what you can apply to your own work. You probably don’t need a book to show you how to do this. Some things will be different between fiction and creative non fiction but many will be the same- importantly, what will keep your reader engaged and wanting more. I can maybe post more about this in a subsequent writingdays newsletter.
As always a thoughtful and inspiring piece about the true creative writing process, giving due credit to a slow and speculative beginning. It is a way of telling a deep truth.
Thank you Wendy. I think Louise de Salvo says very much the same about getting at deep truth in our writing through this slowing down x
What a fascinating way to find your path into a story. It's very attractive. Thank you for recommending Louise de Salvo's book. Do you have any recommendations for help with reading like a writer, just to make sure I'm on the right track, please?
Thank you so much - Reading Like a Writer, by Francine Prose is the book you want. I’m convinced it’s a crucial skill to develop if we want to improve our work. Good luck x
I’ve looked at Prose before, but the blurb suggests that it relates primarily to fiction. Would you say it has something to offer writers of creative non-fiction, too? (I feel there’s no substitute for asking someone who’s read it -- thanks.)
I read it too long ago now to be certain but I don’t see why the basic principles wouldn’t apply i.e. reading the genre you want to write in, finding what works, what you admire and what you can apply to your own work. You probably don’t need a book to show you how to do this. Some things will be different between fiction and creative non fiction but many will be the same- importantly, what will keep your reader engaged and wanting more. I can maybe post more about this in a subsequent writingdays newsletter.
Thank you for your time and thoughts. If you did want to write more about this, I’d definitely be interested.