Here’s a great article about some of the best nonfiction work from women writers. I plan to read one a day until I’ve gone through all of them.
http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/04/queens-of-nonfiction-56-women-writers-everyone-should-read.html
Tag: inspiration
Bloody inspiration
Crime writing is a big book category in Britain and here are this year’s Dagger award winners. As always, I like to look to winners for inspiration.
Daggers crime writing awards presented to ‘the best of the best’ | Books | The Guardian.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/01/daggers-crime-writing-awards-crime-writers-association
Ideas to spare
Whether you need a blog post or writing prompt, here are 30 ideas you can use to get started when you feel temporarily uninspired or want a break from another project.
30 Inspiring Blog Post Ideas For Writers – Writers Write
http://writerswrite.co.za/30-inspiring-blog-post-ideas-for-writers
‘Done is good’
One of my first editors a had a few catch phrases that were part of his everyday conversation. One he offered frequently was, “Done is good.” It was his reminder to meet deadlines. Jane Morrissey has put together a wonderful little post on finishing the first draft of your book (or poem or play).
Finish Your First Draft: 7 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block.
http://www.janemorrissey.com/finish-your-first-draft/
Recall it all
Warren Adler, author of The War of the Roses and other books, continues writing in his 80s. He credits his ability to a daily memory exercise. As I read his essay, it reminded me of Lois Lowry’s The Giver. I suspect it is never too early to make a ritual of remembering.
The Morning Routine That Enables Me to Keep Writing Novels.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7595664
From a master
This is a longish read of reflections of and tips from Saul Bellow. There’s always something to learn from a master such as Bellow.
Happy 100th Birthday, Saul Bellow: His Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech on How Literature and Art Ennoble the Human Spirit | Brain Pickings.
http://www.brainpickings.org/2015/06/10/saul-bellow-nobel-prize-acceptance-speech/
From the pros (continued)
If you need some quick inspiration, consider these tips from pros.
Writing Tips from 7 Acclaimed Authors | Britannica.com
https://www.britannica.com/list/writing-tips-from-7-acclaimed-authors
Tales (more than) twice told
If there are only a few basic plots to work from, retelling old stories would seem inevitable. Here’s an interesting discussion about the pros and cons of borrowing not just plots, but whole stories, cast and all.
Mythcreants » Five Rules for Retelling Old Stories.
http://m.mythcreants.com/blog/five-rules-for-retelling-old-stories/
Get inside characters
A friend of mine told me about The Emotion Thesaurus a few weeks ago. I bought it immediately. My favorite parts are the physical descriptions of emotional responses. I haven’t used it yet, but I’ve been clicking through it (I bought the ebook) and I know it’s going to come in handy.
Sarah Winter: Writing Tips: The Emotion Thesaurus.
http://www.sarahjwinter.com/2015/03/writing-tips-emotion-thesaurus.html?spref=tw&m=1
Inspiration, take 2
Here is a completely different take on “Where do you get your ideas?” from another author who writes for children and adults.
Conversations With Literary Ex-Cons: Jack Gantos – The Rumpus.net.
http://therumpus.net/2015/06/conversations-with-literary-ex-cons-jack-gantos/
