tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post8290184220171501372..comments2024-03-28T05:34:42.670-05:00Comments on MAKE MINE MYSTERY: Self Help Books Work If You Use ThemMorgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-86193624257054816312017-10-22T02:05:37.402-05:002017-10-22T02:05:37.402-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.harada57https://www.blogger.com/profile/06015023155124017905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-30471778215260570652017-05-30T19:36:19.595-05:002017-05-30T19:36:19.595-05:00Thank you Samia.Thank you Samia.authorlindathornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02605805996356003012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-72588707717186288282017-04-30T05:39:58.861-05:002017-04-30T05:39:58.861-05:00nice postnice postlizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06035184100892779826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-26487527342061286572017-04-25T14:13:15.358-05:002017-04-25T14:13:15.358-05:00Oh Linda, what a good article this is with its how...Oh Linda, what a good article this is with its how-to-write book list. Whether out of sheer ego, false confidence, or complete ignorance, I am embarrassed to say after composition classes in grad school, I've read only one book on how to write, the title now lost somewhere in my memory. It covered how to write historical fiction and recommended the submersion of a writer into a chosen era until feeling comfortable with its surroundings, implements, and manners of daily life. After absorbing and editing helpful background material, the book advised stepping out of the water, letting the residue fall away, and then trusting oneself to recall or apply whatever details would advance the story's plot and illuminate the plight of the characters. At age nine I wrote my first two novels, one of which had 26 chapters. Daily my teacher let me read a chapter to the students who rested their heads on desks after lunch recess. Having taught writing in college and survived my own adventures in life, I never thought to ask anyone else how to organize, stimulate, quiet, or release the bulging inner urge to write. However, two main writer rules I follow: "Write what you know" and "If you wake up each day wanting nothing else but to write, you are a writer." I think the rest of the process is a total mystery to me! Though that mystery may take the form of a "cozy" or a "graphic" story,I believe words slip from the heart to the fingertips and then get extruded through the writer's talent into a style that surprisingly fits the concept.beth@imapurple.nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08104825885532314833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-56074651475240384392017-04-21T15:23:17.727-05:002017-04-21T15:23:17.727-05:00Marilyn, with as many books as you've written,...Marilyn, with as many books as you've written, I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't use them at all any more. I need constant help and reminders on all parts of my writing. You have so much more "under your belt." It sounds like you still have a "stash" of reference books on voice.authorlindathornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02605805996356003012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-23775734121240978402017-04-21T08:37:46.996-05:002017-04-21T08:37:46.996-05:00I've read many of the books you and others sug...I've read many of the books you and others suggested. But I've more or less settled into my own pattern of writing, or "voice" as others may have called it. On three shelves in my office you'll find many of those books, plus other reference books.Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-40733689602088113282017-04-20T17:32:43.120-05:002017-04-20T17:32:43.120-05:00Great suggestions, especially for those starting o...Great suggestions, especially for those starting out.Morgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-53643571836884534232017-04-20T12:22:36.312-05:002017-04-20T12:22:36.312-05:00Thank you Mollie. Lots more. Stephen King's se...Thank you Mollie. Lots more. Stephen King's seems to be common among most of you.authorlindathornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02605805996356003012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-85495734844019118252017-04-20T11:42:32.182-05:002017-04-20T11:42:32.182-05:00The ones that are keepers for me are The Zen of Wr...The ones that are keepers for me are The Zen of Writing by Ray Bradbury whenever I get down in the dumps, On Writing by Stephen King, and The Writer's Survival Guide by Rachel Simon. The Visual Encyclopedia is a wonderful reference--all the parts of a horse's tack, all the parts of a sailing ship, all the parts of a castle, etc., all laid out in clear and labeled drawings. When I started on the Gambrell series (sailing, ghosts and magic), I started with the Junior Golden Book of Sailing from the kids' section at the library and now own several sailing and navigation manuals. MollyLikesMovieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718978014437511709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-8737573644904278752017-04-20T09:32:57.823-05:002017-04-20T09:32:57.823-05:00Thanks Amy and Susan for stopping by with a lot mo...Thanks Amy and Susan for stopping by with a lot more such books I haven't heard of (except Stephen King's, which I've been meaning to get).authorlindathornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02605805996356003012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-10044002524211501432017-04-20T08:53:19.326-05:002017-04-20T08:53:19.326-05:00I have far too many of these books, and now you...I have far too many of these books, and now you've given me even more titles. Paula Munier has at least three books out--Plot Perfect, Writing with Quiet Hands, and Beginnings. I also like Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. Thanks for the post.Susan Oleksiwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02693057997469296068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-34339706307314533422017-04-20T08:50:31.535-05:002017-04-20T08:50:31.535-05:00I am currently reading On Writing by Stephen King ...I am currently reading On Writing by Stephen King and enjoying it very much. The first book I went to when I started to think about writing a book was Phyllis Whitney's Guide to Writing Fiction. I'm not sure if it's even still in print. <br /><br />I have two books on my desk waiting to be read: Mastering Suspense Structure & Plot by Jane K. Cleland and the Structuring Your Novel Workbook by K.M. Weiland. As soon as I get a free minute I'll read them!<br /><br />Great idea for a post, Linda!Amy M. Readehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13313132085132011921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-41631881965162398082017-04-20T08:07:31.278-05:002017-04-20T08:07:31.278-05:00Thank you, John. I've been meaning to get Step...Thank you, John. I've been meaning to get Stephen King's On Writing for some time, but I had not heard of the other two.authorlindathornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02605805996356003012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-73858481684289668202017-04-20T07:59:19.883-05:002017-04-20T07:59:19.883-05:00There are many to choose from and some are specifi...There are many to choose from and some are specific to genre. Three I'd recommend are Stephen King's On Writing; Elizabeth George's Write Away, and Gillian Roberts' You Can Write a Mystery. jrlindermuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09204855909246670628noreply@blogger.com