Paula Cappa's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing"
Looking for a horror blog?
Check out my guest blog post on HorrorAddicts.net
Where do stories come from?
http://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/20...
Where do stories come from?
http://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/20...
How Does a Novel Happen?
Book Review of "The Secret Miracle, edited by Daniel Alarcon."
How does a novel happen? Did you ever want to crawl inside a novelist's head and explore what that creative and technical process is like? I found this book at my local library and what a find it is. Because I am a novelist and short story writer, a quick page through the book hooked me. The author asked over 50 novelists a series of questions about their novel writing and their answers are incredibly insightful about their doubts, fears, strategies and experiences. How much research do novelists do? Stephen King and Haruki Murakami claim they do no research. Amy Tan says she does too much from fear of being inaccurate. Anne Enright advises to do the bulk of the research AFTER you've written the novel, not before. How much do novelists know about the plot before they begin? Shelley Jackson says "not a thing." Rick Moody knows "the beginning and something about the end ... discovery is the fun part." Anne Enright "doesn't do plot." Haruki Murakami says he knows "almost nothing" about plot before he begins. And it's not just about writing; it's about how novelists read fiction too. Michael Chabon reads "carefully and with an eye toward theft; always thinking, 'I'd like to try something like that." Want to know about structure and outlines? Colm Toibin only outlines in his head; he finds that making notes about his novel is a way of "wrecking its sanctity." Jonathan Lethem never outlines and avoid putting them into "any kind of sensible order." Cristina Garcia, Stephen King, Susan Choi, Nell Freudenberger, Roddy Doyle, and others do NOT outline either. I can admire these writers who break all the writing rules and still write successful novels. Want to hear how these 50 authors discover and develop characters? Get this book. It's a wealth of thought on the variations of how writers create novels and the personal paths they take to get there.
How does a novel happen? Did you ever want to crawl inside a novelist's head and explore what that creative and technical process is like? I found this book at my local library and what a find it is. Because I am a novelist and short story writer, a quick page through the book hooked me. The author asked over 50 novelists a series of questions about their novel writing and their answers are incredibly insightful about their doubts, fears, strategies and experiences. How much research do novelists do? Stephen King and Haruki Murakami claim they do no research. Amy Tan says she does too much from fear of being inaccurate. Anne Enright advises to do the bulk of the research AFTER you've written the novel, not before. How much do novelists know about the plot before they begin? Shelley Jackson says "not a thing." Rick Moody knows "the beginning and something about the end ... discovery is the fun part." Anne Enright "doesn't do plot." Haruki Murakami says he knows "almost nothing" about plot before he begins. And it's not just about writing; it's about how novelists read fiction too. Michael Chabon reads "carefully and with an eye toward theft; always thinking, 'I'd like to try something like that." Want to know about structure and outlines? Colm Toibin only outlines in his head; he finds that making notes about his novel is a way of "wrecking its sanctity." Jonathan Lethem never outlines and avoid putting them into "any kind of sensible order." Cristina Garcia, Stephen King, Susan Choi, Nell Freudenberger, Roddy Doyle, and others do NOT outline either. I can admire these writers who break all the writing rules and still write successful novels. Want to hear how these 50 authors discover and develop characters? Get this book. It's a wealth of thought on the variations of how writers create novels and the personal paths they take to get there.
Need Inspiration for Your Writing?
I just read Zen In The Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury. With my two novels and many short stories out there (and a third novel drafted--and feeling a bit weary), I chose this book hoping for a shot in the arm. And it is ever! Here's my review:
The best chapter in this book is "How to Keep and Feed a Muse." No kidding. Bradbury really hits it when he explains the Subconscious creative energy of writing. His suggests to read poetry every day (and essays) because it 'flexes muscles you don't use often enough.' I especially like the chapter Zen in the Art of Writing where he instructs you to WORK. RELAX. DON'T THINK. To uncover that creative "flow" is where to uncover the story. Love your work. Be passionate about your characters. This is a very inspirational book. What does he say about plot? "Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow AFTER your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations. Plot is observed after the fact rather than before. It cannot precede action. It cannot be mechanical. It can only be dynamic." Every writer should read this book.
The best chapter in this book is "How to Keep and Feed a Muse." No kidding. Bradbury really hits it when he explains the Subconscious creative energy of writing. His suggests to read poetry every day (and essays) because it 'flexes muscles you don't use often enough.' I especially like the chapter Zen in the Art of Writing where he instructs you to WORK. RELAX. DON'T THINK. To uncover that creative "flow" is where to uncover the story. Love your work. Be passionate about your characters. This is a very inspirational book. What does he say about plot? "Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow AFTER your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations. Plot is observed after the fact rather than before. It cannot precede action. It cannot be mechanical. It can only be dynamic." Every writer should read this book.
Writing is Survival: Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing, BOOK REVIEW
How's your literary cosmos been lately? Need a lift? https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/2016...
If you are a writer, you might discover some wise advice from Ray Bradbury's book on Zen in the Art of Writing. Stop by Tales of Terror Blog site.
If you are a writer, you might discover some wise advice from Ray Bradbury's book on Zen in the Art of Writing. Stop by Tales of Terror Blog site.
Writing Wild! You've got to try this.
Writing Wild by Tina Welling (book review). Are you a writer who loves to read books on the craft of writing? Here's one you probably don't have on your shelf. Take a peek at what Tina Welling has to say about writing. A very creative approach.
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/2016...
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/2016...
How to Write Like Chekhov (Book Review)
"How to Write like Chekhov" Book Review and Commentary.
Chekhov is a master for writing superbly crafted short stories and plays.
"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."
"Write as if you are painting."
Book Review:
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/2016...
Chekhov is a master for writing superbly crafted short stories and plays.
"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."
"Write as if you are painting."
Book Review:
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/2016...
Looking for a good book on the craft of writing?
Catch some book reviews here on what writing crafts books offer.
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/revi...
Method Writing, Jack Grapes
Steering the Craft, A 21st-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story, Ursula K. Le Guin
Writing Wild, Tina Welling
Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg
Zen in the Art of Writing, Ray Bradbury
On Writing, A Memoir, Stephen King
How to Write Like Chekhov, Edited by Piero Bunello and Lencek
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/revi...
Method Writing, Jack Grapes
Steering the Craft, A 21st-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story, Ursula K. Le Guin
Writing Wild, Tina Welling
Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg
Zen in the Art of Writing, Ray Bradbury
On Writing, A Memoir, Stephen King
How to Write Like Chekhov, Edited by Piero Bunello and Lencek
Writing Craft Books: Reviews of 12 well-known craft book on writing.
Hey there writers! Looking for reviews of a list of writing craft books? Stop by my blog. I've read and reviewed 12 craft books and much more. Which one is right for you?
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/revi...
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/revi...
Editing Tips for June at Reading Fiction Blog
Hey Writers! Need some help with your writing project, novel, or short story? Here is some editing advice at my Reading Fiction Blog. Stop by:
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/2025...
https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/2025...
