text:
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
What Are Your Favorite Books on Writing?
Meanwhile, Lupina had a great idea for a You Tell Me: What are your favorite books on writing?
I'll kick it off with a nod to Robert McKee's STORY. Yes, it's about screenplays, but I haven't seen a better breakdown of how to create a great plot.
What's your favorite?
245 comments:«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 245 Newer› Newest»
- GuyStewart/DISCOVERCHURCH said...
Orson Scott Card's HOW TO WRITE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY. There is no better book -- and it's obvious that what he does is effective as he has TWO best-selling series, ENDERS GAME (Science Fiction) and ALVIN MAKER (Fantasy). It's also short and re-readable.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:49 AM
- Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist! said...
Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss was a good book, it made me think a lot about grammar and punctuation. It was an entertaining book as well, not at all textbook boring.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:51 AM
- Wendy said...
BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott and ON WRITING by Stephen King.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:52 AM
- Luisa Perkins said...
O.S. Card's Character and Viewpoint and Stephen King's On Writing. Also Anne LaMott's Bird By Bird.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:53 AM
- Rebecca Ramsey said...
I love Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD too, Wendy, and I also like Brenda Ueland's IF YOU WANT TO WRITE.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:55 AM
- Kiersten said...
The books I've read are mostly on grammar (I studied editing--I'm not THAT boring). Still, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White is a must-read, in my opinion.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:55 AM
- Lady Glamis said...
One of my favorites is THE ART OF FICTION by John Gardner.
Looks like I need to pick up the ON WRITING by Stephen King. Everybody loves that one, it seems
- April 1, 2009 at 11:55 AM
- Vera Marie Badertscher said...
Old standard for all writers is Strunk and White "Elements of Style" and to expand on that, I like "The Writer's Art" by James Kilpatrick.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:56 AM
- Eva Gale said...
McKee's STORY, Peter Dunne's EMOTIONAL STRUCTURE, Victoria Schmidt's 45 MASTER CHARACTERS and Debra Dixon's GOAL, MOTIVATION and CONFLICT.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Good Morning (finally)
Other author's books I read - if they got it into print it must have something good going for it!
- April 1, 2009 at 11:57 AM
- Erin said...
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
The Right to Write by Julia Cameron
- April 1, 2009 at 11:57 AM
- RW said...
There are a couple of books that I have re-read obsessively during the drafting of my novel and blogged about many many times. I use them for guidance, comfort, a kick in the pants, a reminder that I'm not alone and, most of all, clear practical realistic and intelligent advice. They are:
Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel by Jane Smiley and Writing In General and the Short Story In Particular by L. Rust Hills.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:58 AM
- Kate Pawson said...
De-lurking to highly recommend Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Conner. O'Conner manages to tackle the most confusing rules of grammar in a manner that is both straightforward and entertaining. A must-read for any writer.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:58 AM
- acpaul said...
O. S. Card's Characters and Viewpoint, A. Rasley's The Power of Point of View, and H. Lilse's online series.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:59 AM
- Crystal Posey said...
Stephen King, ON WRITING. I adore this book. It reminds me that I write for fulfillment not money. And that above all the rules . . . tell the story.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:00 PM
- Just_Me said...
I couldn't have survived college without A Short Guide to Writing About Biology by Jan Pechanik.
No, it's not about fiction, it's about organization and research. I still use it.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:02 PM
- Alan Orloff said...
I've got two:
Stephen King's On Writing
and the very-hard-to-find, out-of-print-I-believe Dean Koontz book on writing (I read it twenty years ago and don't remember the title. But it was good.)
- April 1, 2009 at 12:02 PM
- RW said...
How could I forget How Fiction Works by James Wood? I read it when it came out last summer and have re-read all the material about free indirect style several times. It lead to a big breakthrough for me in developing the POV in my story.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:02 PM
- Cameron Chapman said...
My favorites are currently BETWEEN THE LINES by Jessica Page Morrell and WORDS OVERFLOWN BY STARS by the professors of the Vermont College MFA program. Not beginner stuff, but if you're past the basics they are fantastic resources.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:05 PM
- Matt Sinclair said...
I still go back to King's On Writing, but one I haven't seen noted here that I enjoyed is Noah Lukeman's The First Five Pages.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:06 PM
- Crystal Posey said...
And I should throw in Grammar Girl, QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS FOR BETTER WRITING. I went through five other books before I finally got this one. I just started it this week and I know more now than I've ever known. It's the first book on grammar that has ever been able to teach me.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:06 PM
- Terri Nixon said...
Self Editing For Fiction Writers - invaluable.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:06 PM
- Terri Nixon said...
Sorry, that comment went through too soon! I should have said Self Editing For Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:07 PM
- Tanya Egan Gibson said...
RON CARLSON WRITES A STORY (by Ron Carlson) is an amazing little book. It's intended for short story writers, but I found a lot of the advice helpful for writing longer fiction as well.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:08 PM
- Rick Daley said...
I hate to seem like an echo, but I have to go with THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE and ON WRITING.
It would be cool if the dictionary definition of redundant was: See REDUNDANT.
WORD VERIFICATION: bledueh. A Canadian colloquialism uttered when one has drawn blood from another.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Save the Cat
Blake Snyder
On Writing
Stephen King
The Plot Thickens
Noah Lukeman
Creativity Rules
John Vorhaus
Bird by Bird
Anne Lamott
Writing Down the Bones
Natalie Goldberg
- April 1, 2009 at 12:10 PM
- Litgirl01 said...
I have been reading Stein on Writing...it's good! :-)
- April 1, 2009 at 12:10 PM
- Vegas Linda Lou said...
Every writer needs to know the nuts and bolts of grammar, style, punctuation, and usage; I cringe whenever I hear "writers" say they're going to leave that stuff up to their editors. Hello??? How do you know if you have a good editor if you don't know the rules yourself?
Rewrite Right! by Jan Venolia is the best resource I've come across for simple, easy-to-understand explanations of the rules every writer should know. I used to recommend this book back when I taught technical and business writing and continue to recommend it to fellow members of my writers' group. Everyone seems to agree—it's a great, accessible resource.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:11 PM
- Nicole said...
Between the Lines by Jessica Morrell.
Plot and Structure & Revision And Self-Editing by James Scott Bell.
Dynamic Characters by Nancy Kress.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:13 PM
- Marsha Sigman said...
On Writing by Stephen King. No one explains it better in layman's terms than the King.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:13 PM
The Art of Fiction by John Gardner is the one that I've loved longest and probably most, but Writing the Blockbuster Novel by Donald Maass is a close second.
I thought the first 15-20 pages of The First Five Pages were pretty good, but the rest of it didn't do much for me.
Syd Field's screenplay books are really good even if you're not writing screenplays, as is Alan Moore's Writing for Comics.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:14 PM
- E. J. Tonks said...
I never used writing guides or how-to's. I just devoured every book that has crossed my path since I was five years old! :)
- April 1, 2009 at 12:15 PM
- Melissa said...
My favorite books on writing: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Brown and Dave King and Story by Robert McKee. They cover all the basics and are pretty easy to comprehend.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:16 PM
- Loren Eaton said...
Ursula K. LeGuin's Steering the Craft, because it actually delves into some technical material.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:24 PM
- CindaChima said...
I'll go with Self Editing For Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King, and Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass. These are great books that help you turn that um crappy first draft into a better book.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:28 PM
- liz fenwick said...
WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL by Donald Maass.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:28 PM
- Dara said...
BETWEEN THE LINES by Jessica Page Morrell and SELF EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS by Renni Brown and Dave King. I'm also a fan of the Write Great fiction series (by various authors) where each book is devoted to one particular aspect (like dialogue or plot).
I'm thinking I need to re-read these.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:29 PM
- Sam said...
Along with Writing down the Bones, Story and On Writing (which are all good), I recently finished The Art of Fiction by Ayn Rand. I went in ready to disagree with most of it, but it's pretty spot on. While I find her somewhat of a blowhard in her literature, she makes a great point in how to write effective prose:
Write concretes, not abstractions (IE, love is a many splendored thing, but the word doesn't inherantly say anything. There are many kinds of love, instead of saying 'he loved her', show us what that means.)
Charecters should influence the plot, not vice-versa. She goes on and on about her hatred for 'naturalist' literature, by which she means literature that is supposed to be 'realistic' but ends up with charecters set in motion by a plot, and being dictated by it, with their own actions of little to no consequence. She heavily crticizes Joyce and Sinclair Lewis for that.
She also does a good job of explaining her own literature and how minor changes in a scene can destroy it. How a scene that may superfically look the same as another one, has drastic diferences due to the exact words and actions used.
It is not a very well balanced book on its own, but it is very good at hammering it's points into you. Kind of like her fiction.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:34 PM
- Christopher M. Park said...
Goodness, there are so many excellent ones. I'm quite a fan of Orson Scott Card's HOW TO WRITE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY, as well as his other book on characterization. The advice in those about publishing (as opposed to writing itself) is quite outdated, though.
Stephen King's ON WRITING was quite good, and so was BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott.
I have to say, the book that I found most helpful in recent years was DON'T MURDER YOUR MYSTERY, by Chris Roerden. Disclaimer: I am cited in her cross-genre followup, DON'T SABOTAGE YOUR SUBMISSION, but I was posting about how much I loved her books on writing long before that came about.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:34 PM
- ryan field said...
A small writers manual that was pubbed about twenty years ago by Rita Mae Brown, author of RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE and more.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:35 PM
- Heather said...
I kind of hate books about writing. Self-help and how-to books are pretty useless to me in general.
But I do like Ann Lamott (Traveling Mercies was amazing). And my mentor in college had us read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron in our graduate fiction writing class. It was okay, but perhaps a little too emotional/spiritual/psychological than it needed to be.
I'm an editor for a living, so I use style guides as Bibles. But my favorite MLA book is The Little English Handbook by Corbett and Finkle. And I do like Elements of Style. I'm forced to use the Chicago Manual of Style for tech writing stuff, though I think the book itself is overly convoluted and horribly organized.
On Writing read like indulgent narcissism to me. ;) And I'm not a Stephen King fan, so reading about his writing process felt a little counterproductive to me. I think I gave up about halfway through his life story because I was bored.
Eh. I don't mean to be overly negative. I would just rather go to a workshop or seminar on writing than read about it in a book, which is why I spend my money on SCBWI dues and conferences. (Although... way more expensive than buying books, I suppose. ahahaha)
- April 1, 2009 at 12:36 PM
- rightonmom said...
All together now:
ON WRITING, the master Stephen King.
Also, Strunk and White.
And now I've got lots of other good ones to check out, thanks to all of you.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Good Writing.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:39 PM
- Bane of Anubis said...
Definitely Strunk & White & King's On Writing.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:39 PM
- Madison said...
Jim Denney's QUIT YOUR DAY JOB! I learned SO much in that book! :D
- April 1, 2009 at 12:41 PM
- Mira said...
Cool website, Nathan.
How come you're not listed on the agent's page? Is it UK only?
In terms of books, my favorites were already mentioned:
Grammer: I'm reading Woe is I. A nice accessible lightly written book that's been very helpful.
Anne Lamont's Bird by Bird. Very inspirational.
I have to say I'm surprised at how many people liked Stephen King's On Writing. That book totally pissed me off. 90% is a biography - who cares. The voice is muddy - yes, I know he got in a car accident halfway through, but so? Clarify the voice. And the 10pages that are actually about writing are highly judgmental. I'm glad other people like it, but I can't think of it without wanting to throw something against the wall.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:42 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I'm on there.
Also, we're a separate company from Curtis Brown UK.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:44 PM
- Samantha Tonge said...
Wannabe a Writer? by Jane Wenham-Jones. It is HILARIOUS and as well as being informative, covers all the important things like the necessity of chocolate and writer's arse:)
- April 1, 2009 at 12:45 PM
- Lucy said...
Annnnnd, nobody's noticed our holiday, so here goes:
Nathan, I know when you say to query you by email, you really mean to post it here on the blog so we can educate other readers. I'm confident that my query will be a stupendous example for everyone.
[This letter comes on pink paper with purple handwritten text, scented with ambergris. Small red and blue plastic monkeys will fall out when you open it. Oh, yeah, the dog kind of chewed on one of them. I'm assuming that this personal touch will really appeal to you, and you will suggest that my dog should have someone ghostwrite his fiction novel memoir about the time he buried one of Cormac McCarthy's shoes.]
April 1, 2009
Dear Savage Dude Bransford (you axe-wielding querry killer, you),
That you never expected to get a proposal like this, I can only speculate. But what would happen if space monkeys decided to take control of the world by controlling all our TV networks and taking over The Bachelor? That it would be total chaos? Hah, so what?
That would be nothing compared to what happens when the Secret Society of Rhetorical Questionarians decides to attack litanary agencies all over the world and incapacitate agents by spiking their blood pressure Jupiter-high with 5.8 million rhetorical queries at once. What's a liturgary agent to do? That Curtis Brown, Ltd. must seek out the services of a high school grammar teacher is not in doubt. And also sumbudee hoo kin spel, cuz These sekret sosighety peepl rillee hayt speling and nevr lernd it in skoul.
Do you like making bundles of money? That I do, is true too. Woo-hoo! That we will sell a million of my Bachelor Space Monkeys novel cannot be questioned, can it? What if I send it to you next week? Just as soon as I buy about forty more reams of paper? That you would like an exclusive read of my 10,000,000 word single-spaced novel in Wingdings font, I am sure of.
What if this is my forty-third novel? That I should just wait and send you the other forty-two at the same time, I am wondering now, because maybe it could save postage, especially if I print some of them on the back of the pages of Bachelor Space Monkeys? The forty-fourth novel is called Bachelor Space Monkeys, the Sequel, but it is not done yet, so I will just send you the partial and you can make up your mind, but I know you will love it, so why don't you see if you can get me a deal? That it would make a great movie, you can believe, just look at the date on this letter to see that timing is everything.
Your new client,
Reed N. Lurk
Oh, yeah, the books on writing thing: Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. Definitely.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:46 PM
- Mark Terry said...
MAKE YOUR WORDS WORK by Gary Provost
THE WELL-FED WRITER by Peter Bowerman
- April 1, 2009 at 12:48 PM
- Lucy said...
P.S. Nathan, do you need a barf bag yet? :-) The recycled shopping bag/envelope in which I sent my query could be recycled again.....
I quit, I quit, I'm outa here..... :-)
- April 1, 2009 at 12:49 PM
- Margaret Yang said...
PLOT by Ansen Dibell and WRITING THE NOVEL, FROM PLOT TO PRINT by Lawrence Block are my two current favorites. I have hand-sold PLOT to every person in my writer's group because every time I lend it out, my friend loves it so much she buys her own copy.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:50 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Haha.. Reed N. Lurk sounds like someone with a very bright future.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:51 PM
- Jean Wise said...
Currently I am enjoying and learning from A Syllable of Water, 20 writers of faith reflect on their art. Includes Phillip Yancey, Richard Foster and Keith Miller.
Jean Wise
- April 1, 2009 at 12:51 PM
- Bane of Anubis said...
Mira, Nathan's on there - the Rice farmer who made good at Stanford
Funny, the bird by bird full title is: "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" - which strikes me as a bit more pretentious than "On Writing."
I'm in the opposite camp - definitely found King's book much more useful. Sure it's some biography and there's a lot of learning by example, but he sets up some decent basic guidelines that are more fundamentally useful to me (probably for their generality) than the Bird by Bird formulas.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:52 PM
- Michelle Moran said...
Definitely STORY. And Victoria Lynn Schmidt's 45 MASTER CHARACTERS does a pretty good job summarizing "types" and giving examples of them for beginning (or not?) creative writers.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:53 PM
- Karen said...
WRITING THE MEMOIR - A Practical Guide to the Craft, the Personal Challenges, and Ethical Dilemmas of Writing Your True Stories by Judith Barrington has been useful to me. After the "Million Little Pieces" fiasco, it's going to be an uphill battle to restore credibility to this genre. Barrington's book lays a solid foundation for writing creatively while maintaining authenticity.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:54 PM
- Mira said...
Nathan - I'm sorry. I see you now! Right under the VP. Cool. :-)
- April 1, 2009 at 12:54 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
I hope this is O.K. to mention here. The timing is perfect. I'm so excited, I can hardly sit still long enough to type.
Late last night, I found out that a book about writing and acting that I compiled and edited has been selected as a Finalist in two categories of the 2008 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards: Performing Arts/Drama and Writing. The competition was tough. Harvard, Yale, and many other university presses enter this contest. In the Performing Arts/Drama category, we placed along with a book by Federico Fellini, a book that went behind the scenes in the making of an Indiana Jones movie, an official X-Files book, and more. And here are the Finalists in the Writing category.
O.K., I need to go calm down, get some work done, and update my website.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:57 PM
STEIN ON WRITING, by Sol Stein.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:57 PM
- Mira said...
Rebecca - thanks for mentioning Brenda Ueland's If you want to write.
I love that book! It's outdated, and religious, and you have to look past the fact that she judges everyone who isn't an artistic writer. Also, her examples go on way too long.
But get past all that, it's worth it. Best book I've ever read on writing.
If you want to know why you should write, even if you never get published, this one is the one.
Also Anne Lamott's book is good for that as well.
- April 1, 2009 at 12:58 PM
- Lisa Mantchev said...
Christopher Vogler's "The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers" (yes, I started in playwriting...)
- April 1, 2009 at 12:58 PM
- sex scenes at starbucks said...
Aristotle's POETICS
Elizabeth George WRITE AWAY
Card's HOW TO WRITE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
WRITING FICTION (out of print, I'm sure, it's from 20, er, several years ago).
- April 1, 2009 at 12:59 PM
- Mira said...
Marilyn - congratulations!! That's wonderful news. Your awards list just keeps growing and growing.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:00 PM
- sex scenes at starbucks said...
OMG, how could I forget:
- April 1, 2009 at 1:00 PM
- adrcremer said...
Orson Scott Card
Also, Betsy Lerner's The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice for Writers is a wonderful book, not so much for advice on writing but for insight into the writing (and publishing) life.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:01 PM
- Vancouver Dame said...
Favorite writing books: Stephen King's 'On Writing' is a great resource - and tells you about the author's resolve; 'How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy' by Orson S. Card was another great book which carries over to all types of writing. Two others, 'The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction, Volume One' by Dave Law & Darin Park with chapters by 16 authors is a very good book, and 'Writing Mysteries', edited by Sue Grafton, is another book that draws on several authors' writing expertise.
I wrote so many of Stephen King's comments down when I read his book, such as 'write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open'. He also said you need a 'writing place' to show others that you're serious. I haven't read many of his novels, but I appreciate where he's coming from now.
I hope to discover some new books with the other readers' comments. Great question, Lupina.
Thanks Nathan, and do you know of any writing books that you could recommended as being useful?
- April 1, 2009 at 1:01 PM
John Truby's The Anatomy of Story is excellent.
~Lindsey S
- April 1, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott--hilarious, insightful, gets you back into perspective.
The Art of Fiction, On Becoming a Novelist, and On Moral Fiction by John Gardner. He's the best. Period.
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass is a great help in tightening up a book that's not quite there.
Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. Great techniques for tapping into the subconscious and developing the habit of writing.
A Writer's Space by Eric Maisel. Short inspirational chapters, wonderful antidote to writer's block.
Mystery and Manners by Flannery O'Connor. Essential for writers of faith.
Sol Stein on Writing covers all the basics of technique very competently.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:02 PM
- Mira said...
Lucy, that was hilarious.
Bane, Nathan went to Stanford? Wow. Wow, Nathan.
Also, that's cool that you like Stephen King's book. Evidentally, you're not alone. I don't mean to rant about it, I was just disappointed. Not what I was looking for.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Indirections, for those who want to write, Sidney Cox (Godine)
and this from Wikipedia on Brenda Ueland...Incredible book--
"Carl Sandburg called If You Want to Write "the best book ever written on how to write." It was republished in 1983 by the Schubert Club of St. Paul, Minnesota, and then picked up by Graywolf Press, for which it remains their bestselling title"
- April 1, 2009 at 1:04 PM
And how could I forget, two great books on the creative process:
The Mind of the Maker by Dorothy Sayers
Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle
- April 1, 2009 at 1:09 PM
ON WRITING by Stephen King and ESCAPING INTO THE OPEN, THE ART OF WRITING TRUE by Elizabeth Berg
- April 1, 2009 at 1:11 PM
- Melanie Avila said...
My #1 favorite is Donald Maass' Writing the Breakout Novel. I was constantly jumping up from the couch to take notes on yet another idea for my wip that his geniousness inspired.
After that, Lamott's Bird by Bird and King's On Writing.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss
Writers' and Artists' Yearbook - every year there's something new 'on writing' from authors, editors and other insiders
Questions on the website: How closely or otherwise do the various Curtis Brown(s) work together around the world - as UK, Australia and now the US sites are all uniquely branded and don't mention each other. If, for example, am a UK represented author, would my CB UK agent work with his US office counterparts for contacts etc - or are you all quite independent?
- April 1, 2009 at 1:29 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
We sometimes work together on certain projects, but we're mostly independent.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:30 PM
- Thomas Burchfield said...
"The Spooky Art" by Norman Mailer
"The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner
"The Writer's Chapbook" edited by George Plimpton.
"The Plot Thickens" by Noah Lukeman
Any personal accounts of writing by writers I find invaluable, inspiring and consoling.
For the nuts and bolts of writing prose, it's Elements of Style (or as it co-editor said, "Read the Little Book!"
"Simple and Direct" by Jacques Barzun
"Garner's Dctionary of Modern American Usage"
"Writing the Genre Novel" by James Joyce.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:33 PM
- Joseph said...
This will sound odd, but:
Isaac Asimov's I, ROBOT is a great study of the technical side of character development.
Robots have 3 heirarchical rules governing their behaviors...what are your character's 3 rules?
- April 1, 2009 at 1:40 PM
- Jeni said...
"The Art of Writing True" by Elizabeth Berg is a great one (and even has some reallllly good recipes at the back).
- April 1, 2009 at 1:48 PM
- Yat-Yee said...
Zinssner's On Writing Well.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:51 PM
- misterovich said...
James Wood: How Fiction Works
David Mamet: On Directing Film
Lynda Barry: What It Is
- April 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM
- David said...
Strange but true... Screenplay by Syd Field was the single most helpful book I have ever read for writing fiction.
I used the principles I learned in that book for my latest project, and it is by far the best thing I have ever written.
I don't even have any interest in writing screenplays, nor do I think I would be any good at it. But for writing commercial fiction, it is the DEAL.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM
- Ink said...
I'll second the On Writing and Bird by Bird recommendations, as well as anything by John Gardner. And the James Wood book, How Fiction Works, is a wonderful exploration of the craft.
And here's where things get new and interesting...
For the overlooked art of revision: Revising Fiction, by David Madden, and The Artful Edit, by Susan Bell (which was great).
Further memoiry book on writing I admit to liking: Sometimes the Magic Works, by Terry Brooks.
Also: From Where We Dream, Robert Olen Butler.
And most importantly (so I'll capitalize):
These are three collections of the best of the interviews from the renowned Paris Review, in which many of the world's great writers discuss their lives and their craft. Read these. If you don't learn at least something interesting I'll personally buy the books from you.
My best,
PS - all vows and fiscal claims herein are based on pseudo-reality and should be taken as a clever and brilliant rhetorical ploy. Any attempt to take such claims differently will lead to disappointment for all involved.
- April 1, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The book that taught me how to plot novels readers tell me they can't put down is Alicia Rasley's Story Within Guidebook.
It's self-published and a bit raw, but those of you who have been involved with RWA know that Alicia as one of the best teachers of writing to ever teach.
If you get stuck half way through books and can't find the rest of your plot, this is the book for you. I have just about worn my copy through, as I go through it step by step every time I work on a story.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:01 PM
- Jordan Summers said...
On Writing by Stephen King, Immediate Fiction by Jerry Cleaver, Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card, Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card, Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham, Settings by Jack Bickham, Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan, and Save the Cat by Blake Snyder.
Does anyone know of any good instructional 'dialogue' books?
- April 1, 2009 at 2:05 PM
- Miss Viola Bookworm said...
Bird by Bird--Anne Lamott
On Writing--Stephen King
- April 1, 2009 at 2:12 PM
- Bahnree said...
I just read The Writing Life by Annie Dillard and think it's fantastic: I'll definitely read it again and again.
Also, No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty is a fave.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Stein on Writing (for Jordan Summers, this book has dedicates a chapter to dialogue and I think it gives great tools.)
O.S. Card's Character and Viewpoint and How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy, also his website has some great responses to various writing questions.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:14 PM
- Vancouver Dame said...
A good book on dialogue is 'Write Great Fiction - Dialogue' by Gloria Kempton. Lots of examples and techniques.
Another excellent book (on specifics) is Dynamic Characters by Nancy Kress.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:15 PM
--agent Betsy Lerner
--Sophie Burnham
2 that have not been mentioned
- April 1, 2009 at 2:16 PM
- Furious D said...
Love the new Curtis-Brown web-site, very nice, very nice indeed. And judging by your picture on the site, you need a haircut. ;)
As for favourite writing books... let's see...
Elements of Style - You gotta know the rules before you break them.
Stephen King's On Writing - Very simple and direct discussion of the importance of clarity, simplicity, and rewriting.
John Gardner's The Art of Fiction - The first book about writing I ever read when I got it in university. A must have.
And here is something I think everyone should read: A really bad novel.
Yep, every writer needs something that will make them say to themselves "I can do better than that." To give them not only inspiration, but a cautionary example. I won't say what my examples are, because some folks in Canada hold them up as classics, so I won't offend their delicate sensibilities.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:19 PM
- Maidenfine said...
I have to second Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. My mom got it for me when I turned 18 and I've re-read it several times in the 10 years since then. Every once in a while I have to refocus and do her activities for encouraging creativity on demand. But whenever I've read that book within the last couple years, I never get writers block. I'm probably due for another re-read.
Right now, I am also reading Your First Novel by Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb. I haven't gotten very far, but my best friend swears that it's the most helpful book she's ever read.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:20 PM
My favorite is Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom, edited by Leonard Marcus. It's the collected correspondence of the editor of such children's classics as Charlotte's Web and Harriet the Spy, among many, many others. It's not at all a how-to book, but I get more excited about writing and children's literature from reading that book than any other. Nordstrom's revision letters are the stuff of brilliance, and most writers will likely pick up a few tips for their own work from reading them. Highly recommended for children's and YA writers!
I learned the most about voice and general sentence-by-sentence mechanics from Lolita.
And I'll second Nathan (and forty-fourth the rest of you) with Story, which has been a very valuable and grounding book for a flighty "oh, I just want to write pretty sentences all day!" writer such as myself.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:20 PM
THE CREATIVE HABIT: LEARN IT AND USE IT FOR LIFE by Twyla Tharp
SOUTHERN DAUGHTER: THE LIFE OF MARGARET MITCHELL (author of Gone With The Wind 'GWTW')
by Darden Asbury Pyron (not a book on writing...but covers so much of Ms. Mitchell's thoughts on writing while she wrote GWTW which took her something like 15 years to complete!)
- April 1, 2009 at 2:22 PM
- Hilary said...
RON CARLSON WRITES A STORY--he goes through his process using one of his own stories as an example. He was my professor at ASU and he used to say things like "Did it happen? No. Is it true? Yes," and, "Write until your parents tell you to come away from the desk and have a cracker." Reading his book is like being in that class again--very inspiring, and when he uses his own work as examples it makes you feel like you might one day be able to do what he does.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:24 PM
- other lisa said...
Among the many things at which I suck, keeping mental lists of favorite things is one of them. The only book on writing I can even remember reading right now is "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. This isn't so much a "how to write" book as a "how to get out of your own way and fulfill your potential as a writer" book. I'm not usually big on the self-help, but while this short book got a little repetitive for me, some of the nuts and bolts advice I found really valuable. Things like, "Treat writing like a job. The first rule of a job is, you show up, whether you feel like it or not."
I'm paraphrasing, but you get the idea.
The book is great medicine for creative, talented people who think "the Muse" or the Fame Fairy (I live in LA) is just magically going to come to them.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:35 PM
- other lisa said...
Oooh! The Curtis Brown blog is really cool!
"Nonar." That's like...negative sonar?
- April 1, 2009 at 2:40 PM
- Michael Pickett said...
I have to mention two here. First, Ray Bradbury's "Zen in the Art of Writing." Bradbury is my favorite writer ever and there is no better book to get pumped to sit down and write. Second, Stephen King's "On Writing." I don't like King's fiction much, but I love every time he writes about writing.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:49 PM
- Scott said...
I liked On Writing by SK, as well. I prefer to get into a writer's head rather than just be given an enumerated set of rules.
However, for the best of both worlds as far as I've seen, I highly recommend writers check out author Dan Simmons' Writing Well section of his website. He quotes great American writers such as Twain and Hemingway, and comments on their comments on writing. It's well-written and leans towards the practical, and for a guy like myself who apparently has a very masculine voice, it's something nice and gritty to chew on. That said, I think any writer would benefit greatly from his words.
coner n. 1. the guy who lays out traffic cones for various road work projects and probably makes $30 an hour doing it.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:50 PM
- Heather Harper said...
A Writer's Coach: The Complete Guide to Writing Strategies That Work by Jack Hart
- April 1, 2009 at 2:50 PM
- the-sea-to said...
Not one to know much about "How to write books" (not a plea for info, just tend to attack any challenge from such a variety of sources no single one seems best)
But did want to say the new website looks lovely, very nicely laid out, very clear and (my personal bugbear as I audit buildings for people with disabilities) extremely accessible.
Well done!
- April 1, 2009 at 2:53 PM
- Pure Fiction said...
'How to write a damn good novel' by James n Frey - very cheesy, but I found it helpful, particularly with rewriting.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM
- The First Carol said...
Two of Elizabeth Lyon's books: Manuscript Makeover and A Writer's Guide to Fiction. Third on my list is The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, but that's only for painful moments when no other book is in my bag.
- April 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
- Kristin Laughtin said...
I'm still a fan of Strunk and White.
I like the new website! Very snazzy. Only thing I might suggest after a quick read-through is a sentence on the submissions page indicating that some agents take email queries (which they seem to indicate in their bios).
- April 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
- Rebecca said...
I, too, admire and use McKee's STORY. I even attended his weekend seminar
a couple of years ago.
But last year I came across James N. Frey's HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD NOVEL and was smitten. So then I found his HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD NOVEL II and, naturally, HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD MYSTERY. He uses the frame of the hero's journey, but most importantly, he actually creates a story, chapter by chapter, for you to follow along.
I give Jim five stars.
Rebecca Butler
- April 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
- M. Dunham said...
The book I think that deserves a shout-out is "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers." What a fabulous learning tool, and one I wish more users would employ.
- April 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
- Tracey S. Rosenberg said...
For technical stuff: Donald Maass' Writing the Breakout Novel (and the workbook too). This is currently my go-to book.
For 'let's break down how really great authors accomplish things': Francine Prose's Reading Like a Writer.
For 'feeling like a writer': Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones.
I also have Richard Hugo's The Triggering Town on this shelf here, which I must reread.
- April 1, 2009 at 3:09 PM
- SMD said...
I have a ton of writing books, but the best ones are those that get me writing as soon as I put them down. These are the most effective books for me:
Plot & Structure, James Scott Bell
Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldman
What If? Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter
- April 1, 2009 at 3:18 PM
- Martin Willoughby said...
Like many, I would recommend 'On Writing' by Stephen King. Plain simple advice alongside a mini-autobiography to show how it works.
Maybe a poll of the most listed here to see which one is best?
- April 1, 2009 at 3:27 PM
- Mercy Loomis said...
Like so many others, Strunk & White and Orson Scott Card are high on my list.
My personal favorite is James Scott Bell's REVISION & SELF-EDITING. I think it's be best writing book ever. I really liked his PLOT & STRUCTURE too.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned HOW NOT TO WRITE A NOVEL by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman. It's hysterical, and so very, very true. 200 classic writing mistakes, with tongue-in-cheek examples.
I'm also very fond of Jack Bickham's THE 38 MOST COMMON FICTION WRITING MISTAKES (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM). Also Lori Perkins's THE INSIDER'S GUIDE TO GETTING AN AGENT has lots of good information as well.
- April 1, 2009 at 3:34 PM
- dbgrady said...
"On Writing" by Stephen King, though the part about how easy it is to get a literary agent is worth a chuckle.
I could not write without the Strunk and White and the "Merriam-Webster's Collegiate" by my side. The "New York Times Manual of Style" is often useful for tricky phrases and general arcana.
- April 1, 2009 at 3:34 PM
- other lisa said...
- April 1, 2009 at 3:35 PM
- Belynda said...
I just finished reading "Backwards and Forwards" by David Ball, and I must say it was really excellent. It was laugh-out-loud funny at moments, but had some great info on plot, forwards, subtext, etc.
It's actually written for those involved in stage productions, and the examples he uses are all derived from Hamlet, but it has a lot of great information for writers of all genres.
- April 1, 2009 at 3:49 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
The new Curtis Brown website looks fantastic!!
- April 1, 2009 at 3:58 PM
- seanachi said...
Really love Debra Dixon's Goal, Moativation, and Conflict. King's On Writing is also a favorite. And for general inspiration, I enjoy Madeleine L'Engle's Herself: Reflections on a Writing Life.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:03 PM
- M Clement Hall said...
I'll give three:
a)Chicago Manual of Style is essential to acceptable formatting.
b) Maass "Writing the Beakthrough Novel" explains all the mistakes we make, and how to correct them.
c) Forster's "Aspect of the Novel" was good in 1927, and remains just as useful today (if you can get a copy).
- April 1, 2009 at 4:08 PM
- T.D. Newton said...
"How Not To Write A Novel" has to be my favorite.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:12 PM
My favorite is "The Hero With a Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:25 PM
- Dan said...
- How often do agents pass queries to one another within the CB office? Ever? Never? Once a week?
I'm surprised no one mentioned the 3 AM EPIPHANY by Brian Kitely.
Though the best advice I ever received wasn't in a book: just write, write, write.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:30 PM
- Connie said...
ON WRITING by Stephen King.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:30 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Not often, but we definitely pass some things around if we think someone else might be a better fit.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:31 PM
- Sam Hranac said...
I'm with Yat-Yee regarding William Zinssner's On Writing Well. That's a long time favorite of mine. But for year-in, year-out reference value, I keep picking up Strunk and White.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:34 PM
FIRST DRAFT TO FINISHED NOVEL, by Karen S. Wiesner
- April 1, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Nice work, Bransfordians.
There's some great how-to books mentioned in the previous posts. Certainly a few that have escaped my attention prior to this, so I should make an effort to chase them up.
I think that some of the best how-to books are actually created by ourselves.
I used to obsess about screenplay story and structure to the point that I would go to the cinema, watch a film for fun, then buy a ticket to the very next screening with my pen and notepad at the ready.
Also those 10 for $10 video rental deals sustained me for a few years. I'd hit 'play' then proceed to pause the film constantly wilst taking notes. My partner at the time couldn't stand to be in the same room.
And, man, how good are those screenplay archives on the net? A budding writer can read and deconstruct for ever and a day.
I haven't been quite as obsessive with novels. Although I do tend to dog-ear hundreds of pages for further reference ... only to re-read those passages later and not have a clue as to why I marked them!
I'm not a particularly well-read person when it comes to books - I read my first complete book, Brave New World, at age 16 - so I am way behind the eight ball compared to many of the posters here. When I look at the reading material people mention in their posts I'm aware that these people are educating themselves by osmosis on a book-by-book basis. The content of this education impresses the hell outta me. Here I am reading 'The Saint' whilst others are probably wading in Finnegans Wake!
What I have come to understand is that there is a ton of how-to stuff residing in those oft cited classic novels. We just gotta read between the lines and take note, so to speak.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:50 PM
- Ajax said...
I recommend the audio version of Stephen King's "On Writing". He narrates it himself, and it is like taking a class from the man himself. Pretty good stuff! I have listened to it about 10 times and never get tired of it.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:53 PM
- Dawn said...
We should see how many copies of On Writing are sold after this post. I just bought one.
- April 1, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Creating Short Fiction, by Damon Knight. In spite of the title, I think it applies well to writing novels, too. Pehaps I like it because he calls his creative subconscious Fred, which amuses me, because mine is named Fred, too. Orson's books are OK, but I keep going back to Damon's. As for Stephen King, in spite of his success, I would rather quit writing than write like him. I think his writing would be better if he threw half of it OUT.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:00 PM
- Chuck H. said...
I was going to say those Dick and Jane books I had to read in first grade. They bored me so much that I started writing my own stories.
I actually only own two books on writing. They are:
Screenwriting From The Soul by Richard Krevolin
Right Brain Write On! by Bill Downey
Other than that it's just dictionary and thesaurus.
Is the King book really that good? I thought about buying it but never could find it at a discount. Yeah, I'm cheap.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:09 PM
The Art of Dramatic Writing, by Lajos Egri. A very straightforward look at the nuts and bolts of what makes a story.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Anne Bogart's "A Director Prepares: Seven Essays on Art and Theater" is my favorite book on the creative process. It's about making theater but the lessons are applicable to any kind of creative endeavor. I also love Stephen King's "On Writing."
- April 1, 2009 at 5:12 PM
- aleesha said...
Stephen King's On Writing. It was much better than I expected. I also love William Zinssner's On Writing Well. Both books are used frequently in my creative writing class.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I've read most of 'em.
Here's one that I found quite helpful when writing my novel:
MAKE A SCENE by Jordan E. Rosenfeld.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:21 PM
- Myra said...
James Scott Bell -
Plot and Structure
Revision and Self Editing
Both "you can do it" books, like classes taught by a professor who doesn't even own a red pen. Lots of encouragement and solid advice and a nice place to turn when you get a little bit lost.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:36 PM
- Mira said...
Oh my god. The Stephen King thing has taken off and now has a mind of it's own.
I am now on a vendetta. I'm on an anti-Stephen-King's-Book-On-Writing vendatta.
My dislike of that book has now reached red-hot poker proportions. It's become my life mission to stop people from reading that book.
It's not a noble life goal.
It's not even a worthy life goal.
In fact, it's a rather embarassing life goal.
I don't care. It's my goal, and I'm sticking to it.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:37 PM
DON'T MURDER YOUR MYSTERY by Chris Roerden
ON WRITING Stephen King
Do they actually work? Well, until I'm an author, the jury is still out. At least I know what I'm supposed to be doing and I'm filled with the desire and motivation to write.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:37 PM
I'm a fantasy writer, so my favorite book on writing is How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card. He really knows what he's talking about, and I recommend it to all speculative fiction writers.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:42 PM
The Writing Soldier by RObert N Stephenson is excellent. You can download it for free here:
there has been a few problems with the site today, so if it doesn't work, try again in awhile.
- April 1, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Wow, I checked in late today and was stunned to see my idea in play (thanks so much, Nathan) and 133 replies already!
I am so glad because many books I was unaware of are now on my "must buy" list, especially those of Orson Scott Card. I've read his entire Ender series but somehow never knew he wrote help books.
As for me, Strunk and White is indispensable but my favorite nightstand companion is Lawrence Block's "Telling Lies for Fun and Profit; a Manual for Fiction Writers." With great foreword by Sue Grafton. Block's wit and great use of literary example, along with keen insight into the transparent mind foibles of most writers keep me coming back to it.
I like Donald Maas too.
I'm now going to re-read the entries with pen and paper in hand.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
- April 1, 2009 at 5:57 PM
- RainSplats said...
I prefer to read novels while I'm wearing my writers' spectacles. It's easy to figure out what I like and what annoys me.
There was a series of "He said, She said" posts on the net that I liked once. I think they took it down when they turned it into a book. Too bad I don't know what the book is called :/
- April 1, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Steering the Craft, by Ursula K. LeGuin, and On Teaching and Writing Fiction, by Wallace Stegner
- April 1, 2009 at 6:11 PM
- April Hollands said...
Actually, Enid Blyton books probably gave me the best ideas about how to write because they got me interested in reading and gave me a great head start with the English language as a result. And anything by David Crystal.
- April 1, 2009 at 6:12 PM
- Gabrielle Faust said...
Stephen King, On Writing
- April 1, 2009 at 6:12 PM
- Sally Apokedak said...
Donald Maass WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL
William Zinsser ON WRITING WELL
Sol Stein STEIN ON WRITING
I've learned from many more, but these are the ones that keep on teaching me, it seems.
- April 1, 2009 at 6:14 PM
- Steve Axelrod said...
In Writing A Novel, his 1974 handbook for aspiring authors, John Braine dispenses a great deal of no-nonsense, working-class advice for carpentering a first book together. Unlike writers as otherwise diverse as E.M. Forster and Ernest Hemingway, he makes no claim (implicit or explicit) that his notions are universally applicable.
"The rules I lay down for the writing of a novel are the ones that suit me," he says early on. "I don't assert that my way of writing a novel is the best or only way; only that it works."
It's hard to argue with that. He recommends writing a brief synopsis and then charging forward with the goal of a finished draft, however messy. Then you write another outline and start patching holes and making sense of the narrative. A novel should cover no more than a year. 100,000 words is the maximum length. And no digressions:
A straightforward passage in time with no flashbacks is best. It is absolutely legitimate for your characters to remember what happened in the past; they'd be very odd if they didn't. But they should talk about it or think about it; it mustn't be presented in the same way as the main action of your novel. And it should be kept brief; go into the past for much over 500 words and the story comes to a dead stop.
Later in the book, he gives some typically blunt and practical advice on narrative viewpoint:
I strongly recommend that your first novel should be in the first person. While you must never avoid what is difficult out of laziness, it doesn't make sense not to take the easiest way if, provably, it works. And first person narrative works. It's entirely natural to buttonhole the audience and tell them all the things that happened to you personally. The use of first person gives your tale veracity. You know all the details because you were there; you tell the story because it happened to you … another advantage of the first person: you depict the main character's thoughts absolutely naturally. When someone is telling you a story in real life, you take it for granted he'll tell you his thoughts.
Braine is wonderful and I highly recommend this no-nonsense book.
And I don;t think anyone has mentioned E.M. Forster's Aspects of the Novel, another essantial volume.
- April 1, 2009 at 6:16 PM
- Jen C said...
I'm not going to read the comments section too closely today, because I have this... problem, when it comes to books, especially writing books. And I've already spent my book budget for this month AND next month. (Although it's not uncommon for me to dip into my food budget to buy more books..)
I will say that I never ended up reading On Writing by SK all the way through. It's still there on my shelf (borrowed from my sister.. oops!), but I only got as far as his childhood before I moved on to something else. I'm haphazard like that. Perhaps I should give it another shot..
And, ZOMG!! Nathan, your company was responsible for the movie TEX!!!! Man, I freaking love that movie!
Word veri: spesso. The new slang for special, taking over from spesh. i.e. That TEX movie sure was spesso!
- April 1, 2009 at 6:19 PM
- Jodi said...
Cameron, King and Lamott, by all means. Also AMY TAN's THE OPPOSITE OF FATE; URSULA K. LE GUIN's STEERING THE CRAFT; URSULA HEGI's INTRUSIONS; MANJUSVARA's WRITING YOUR WAY; for poets...AADDONIZIO and LAUX' THE POET'S COMPANION and for moms trying to make a career of writing (and other people, too) CHRISTINA KATZ' WRITER MAMA.
- April 1, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott; On Writing Well, by William Zinsser; Baseball: The Writer's Game, by Mike Shannon and The Author's Guide to Building an Online Platform, by Stephanie Chandler
- April 1, 2009 at 6:23 PM
- knight_tour said...
Hmm, I seem to have read, and liked, most of those already mentioned, but my favorite is On Writing by Stephen King.
- April 1, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Its more editing than writing, but I love Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. The tips in are really useful in helping to take a step back an look at how a new pair of eyes might see your work.
- April 1, 2009 at 6:30 PM
I saw someone actually mention my book 'The Writing Soldier' - I think it has to come with a warning as the book is not for everyone, and in some instances even put someone off writing all together. This book was put together to help with writers who procrastinate, and who think this business is easy. The Writing Soldier has helped many new writers find their way on quite a number of levels
The download file is a pdf, so please make sure your pdf settings are correct - or in IE just save file.
I thank the person who did suggest the book. But my own favourite was by Orson Scott Card and I suppose part of him rubbed off on me.
Again it was a surprise to see my book on the list - and yes download free at http://www.altair-australia.com/altair/free.html
Robert N Stephenson
- April 1, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Besides the usual resources (dictionaries, thesaurus, internet, etc), I have learned from Strunk's Elements of Style about simple grammar problems and how to correct them.
Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing, by David Morrell changed my life, my writing and my attitude. He has a revised edition of this book now out. It is called, The Successful Novelist. He first became a teacher of literature, and then wrote books. He is the author of the infamous Rambo series. His books on writing cover everything from what goes on in our minds to what goes on the paper, advice on getting published, and in the revised edition, he covers marketing. He seems to love to teach as well as write. And, he even answers his emails.
I bought On Writing by Stephen King, but like Heather, I didn't finish reading it. First, he recommends that we eliminate all useless words and phrases (similar to Strunk), then clutters his writing with unnecessary adjectives. I already know how to cuss.
One other writer that, even though his books are not "on writing," his writings make one think beyond their private little worlds. I have just begun reading books by Robert Fulghum. (Yes, I am behind in my reading by a couple decades)
Thank you Nathan for posting this topic. I wanted a better list of recommended books to read during my quest to write books that others will want to read.
- April 1, 2009 at 6:38 PM
- Tamara said...
Wow. There are some great ideas here. I have to put in another vote for Stephen King's ON WRITING and Robert McKee's STORY. Thanks for posing the question, Nathan.
- April 1, 2009 at 6:40 PM
- L.C.McCabe said...
Well, I'm a bit late to this game, BUT maybe this will be beneficial.
My friend Jordan Rosenfeld, author of the fabulous Writers Digest book MAKE A SCENE: Craft a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time has a limited time offer.
She is moving and would like to unload her inventory of author copies of that book and also of WRITE FREE: Attracting the Creative Life that she co-wrote with Becca Lawton.
She is willing to sell them for $10 each, free shipping.
Normally each book sells for $14.99.
Send her an email at firstname.lastname@example.com if you'd like to try to snag yourself a copy.
Supplies are limited. Act now!
So this isn't totally a commercial for a friend of mine, I'll add a different title to the mix that has not been mentioned before. My favorite book that I use to inspire my dramatic writing is Michael Shurtleff's AUDITION: Everything an Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part.
I love that book. He explains so much, including the reason why alcohol is written into scenes. It is not to withdraw, but to lower inhibitions and take risks that you might otherwise be too fearful. My favorite line from that book is "Conflict is Drama."
- April 1, 2009 at 6:41 PM
- Jo said...
I'm stunned to see Stein on Writing mentioned so often. I never see anyone talk about it. The best book on writing ever.
Also good:
Getting into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors byBrandilyn Collins
Finding Your Voice by Les Edgerton
Hooked also by Les Edgerton
- April 1, 2009 at 6:46 PM
- Eva Ulian said...
These are the 15 books I found most useful and still use at times, so they are not for sale:
1. How to Write Realistic Dialogue
(Can't do without this even now)
by Jean Saunders also by same
2. The Craft of Writing Romance
3. The First Five Pages
by Noah Lukeman
4. Writing the Blockbuster Novel
by Albert Zuckerman
5. Twenty Master Plots
by Ronal B. Tobais
6. The Fiction Writers' Handbook
by Nancy Smith
7. Conflict, Action & Suspense
by William Noble
8. Beginnings, Middles & Ends
by Nancy Kress
9. How to Write for Children
by Tessa Krailing
10. How to Write Stories for
Magazines by Donna Baker
11. Creating Characters
by Dwight V. Swain
12. How to Get Published and make
a lot of Money by Susan Page
13. Writing to Sell
by Scott Meredith
14. How to Write & Sell True Crime
by Gary Provost
15. Cause of Death... a writer's
by Keith D. Wilson, M.D.
- April 1, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Stephen King's On Writing, because it has good observations and for other possibly obvious reasons.
- April 1, 2009 at 7:00 PM
- Richard Lewis said...
I read some place last year that ELEMENTS OF STYLE and STORY have done more to stifle genuine creativity that the whole host of MFA programs put together.
I can't recall who said it, and the post was sarcastic in tone, but if you stop to think about it, there's some truth in that.
The trouble is, the exceptional writers to whom these great books would be stifling are the geniuses, which you and I most assuredly not.
- April 1, 2009 at 7:09 PM
- Richard Lewis said...
"are not"
Although we wish we were.
- April 1, 2009 at 7:10 PM
- Jen C said...
The trouble is, the exceptional writers to whom these great books would be stifling are the geniuses, which you and I most assuredly not.
Speak for yourself! I'm pure genius in everything I do...
- April 1, 2009 at 7:16 PM
- Robin Constantine said...
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
I love her sense of humor. The chapter Radio Station KFKD is hilarious (and so true!)
A classic.
- April 1, 2009 at 7:17 PM
I'm with Wendy. Both Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD and Stephen King's ON WRITING were the only craft books I've located so far that speak to the pantser in me.
- April 1, 2009 at 7:17 PM
- Kathleen Ryan said...
THE MODERN LIBRARY WRITER'S WORKSHOP: A GUIDE TO THE CRAFT OF FICTION by Stephen Koch
THINKING LIKE YOUR EDITOR: HOW TO WRITE GREAT SERIOUS NONFICTION - AND GET IT PUBLISHED by Alfred Fortunato and Susan Rabiner
THE ELEMENTS OF NARRATIVE NONFICTION: HOW TO WRITE AND SELL THE NOVEL OF TRUE EVENTS by Peter Rubie
- April 1, 2009 at 7:25 PM
- Scott said...
Anyone interested in my new book On On Writing? It's all about this great book by Steven King. :)
- April 1, 2009 at 7:25 PM
- Casey McGill said...
Bird by Bird Anne Lamont definitely. You're coming to my school on April 7 & 8th! See you there. And at The Collective you should definitely try the sandwich called the Center of the Universe.
- April 1, 2009 at 7:26 PM
- Rick Daley said...
The new Curtis Brown website is excellent. It look sharp and it's easy to navigate. I've had my turn at website design, and it is not small task. For whatever it's worth, please pass along my accolades to those responsible for its development, they really did a great job!
- April 1, 2009 at 7:41 PM
I can't believe no one has mentioned: THE LIE THAT TELLS A TRUTH, by John Dufresne.
- April 1, 2009 at 7:44 PM
- Elaine 'still writing' Smith said...
Books about writing books?
If writers are writing about something they have never seen, heard, felt or done - then the 'how to' book would be a must - is anyone actually doing that?
(Talk to the person who did it - or buy the book written by the person who did it - or as close as you can find ) then visualise it - plan the 'journey' (space, time, physically, mentally, emotionally and socially) - and write; let them live - play God.
- April 1, 2009 at 8:09 PM
I want your babies!!
- April 1, 2009 at 8:28 PM
HOW TO WRITE SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY by Orson Scott Card
- April 1, 2009 at 8:31 PM
- Mira said...
Scott - can you just kill me now. It would be kinder.
Anon - I have no babies to give you - sorry.
- April 1, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Techniques of the Selling Writer (Swain),
Anatomy of Story (Truby),
Writing to Sell(Meredith),
The Art of Dramatic Writing (Egri), The Plot Thickens (Luckman),
Story (McKee),
- April 1, 2009 at 8:54 PM
- abc said...
My screenwriting teacher in college introduced me to Natalie Goldberg and I was lucky enough to see her speak at Prairie Lights in Iowa City when she came out with fiction book. I love her personality! And she gets me excited about writing.
- April 1, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Techniques of the Selling Writer, by Dwight V. Swain. Hokey title; wonderful guide for the fictioneer.
Hardly a page on which I didn't underline something vital, important or simply enlightening.
- April 1, 2009 at 9:12 PM
- ~Sia McKye~ said...
Debra Dixon's GOAL, MOTIVATION and CONFLICT. I've read bits and pieces of several books I keep as references: Writing Down the Bones
Natalie Goldberg,ON WRITING by Stephen King. I've got several reference books I still use from college. I also like Give "em What they Want, Camenson & Cook.
- April 1, 2009 at 9:13 PM
I'm with most of the people in this post, I really enjoyed On Writing by Stephen King. Yes, I do see what some are saying about how he took up a lot of space with non-writing issues (although one could say that the non-writing parts of life are writing parts but anyway). But the sections that were clearly about writing were lucid and, I think, applicable to the average person. High level stuff for the average Nathan-blog reader? Maybe not. But for someone who dabbles in writing, writing students, yes, and he does offer some good advice for some of the folks here, too. My two cents.
- April 1, 2009 at 9:19 PM
- Jen C said...
I knew I shouldn't have even opened the comments section today. Of course, after skimming what everyone had to say, I thought I would go to the bookshop at lunch, just to check a few of the titles out. Now I'm approximately $100 poorer.
Word Veri - thnorb. Sums up how I'm feeling right now very nicely.
- April 1, 2009 at 10:06 PM
- Laura said...
On Writing by King and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Both are brilliant and encouraging.
I know I'm behind on this, but thank you for not participating in queryfail. I won't query the ones that did. I'm nervous about querying -- it's hard to boil down your baby in a few sentences without sounding goofy. It's nice to know there are agents out there with enough respect for others not to publicly mock their heart and soul via twitter.
You're one of the good ones.
- April 1, 2009 at 10:12 PM
- Beatriz Kim said...
My favorite book on writing..."On Writing" by Stephen King...it appears to be a popular choice on this comment stream.
I have read many books on writing, but usually only find 1 or 2 useful tips in a book. "This is a waste of time".
Then I found..."The Complete Idiot's Guide to...Writing a Novel". It has just the basics and a little information on the "getting published part". I like the general overview. It's my new reference book.
I use this reference book to help me find books on the details. Wow!
Since I'm not an English major...Idiot's guide seemed appropriate.
- April 1, 2009 at 10:15 PM
- clindsay said...
First, the website looks great! Thumbs up!
Second, for non-fiction, I would recommend Susan Rabiners THINKING LIKE YOUR EDITOR.
For fiction, if you can find one (it is sadly out of print), the late Scott Meredith's WRITING TO SELL. Also, for just breaking down the creative barriers, WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg is very good.
- April 1, 2009 at 10:16 PM
My favorite one, so far, is ANATOMY OF A STORY by John Truby. Although he teaches screenwriting classes his book focuses on building a solid plot foundation for any kind of story form.
- April 1, 2009 at 10:19 PM
- Laura said...
p.s. to anyone upset about the fact that half (and it was half, not 90%) of King's book being an autobiography-- that was precisely the part that encouraged me. I felt a kinship with King. He'd had his share of rejection letters and look at him now! And didn't talk down to the reader/fellow writers, he gave us a walk through his childhood and his writing lessons, successes, and failures before getting to the nuts and bolts.
I read his chapter "What is Writing" to my comp classes every year. Because he's right, it's magic.
- April 1, 2009 at 10:22 PM
- YvettesGoneFishing said...
Uh oh. I was excited to see Curtis Brown had a live site and I immediately went to check it out.
It looks like queries are accepted only by snail mail. Though it doesn't specifically say 'snail mail only,' there's only a mailing address on the submissions page, and under Ginger Clark (the agent I queried on 08 FEB 09) there is no email address.
I got her email address from the AgentQuery site, and it says she accepts email queries. Has Curtis Brown or changed its submissions policy?
What's the least obnoxious way to find out if my query was deleted and if I need to resend it by post? Do I need to ask these questions directly of Ginger Clark by snail mail?
The submissions policy also states a sample chapter should accompany the query. The guidelines I got off the AgentQuery site for this agent specify query only, which is all I sent.
Am I screwed?
- April 1, 2009 at 10:42 PM
- lmmay.com said...
Everyone has already mentioned many of my favorite writing books, but here's a couple I didn't see (or missed) in the list:
Lawrence Block
Lawrence Block
Cory Doctorow & Karl Schroeder
(Horrible title, but helpful book for new writers in the field)
The following are my favorite books to reach for when I feel writer's block coming on:
Jerrold Mundis
(out-of-print, which is unfortunate)
Ralph Keyes
Ralph Keyes
Dorothea Brande
- April 1, 2009 at 11:23 PM
- Alps said...
THE WRITING LIFE by Annie Dillard.
- April 1, 2009 at 11:30 PM
- Writer from Hell said...
Great question! I'll be checking out some of these books that others have mentioned in their msgs.
Can someone pls guide me (sorry this blogpost is not about that, I know but.. taking the creative liberty here) if you send a book proposal to someone, can the cover letter just say normal human stuff like 'enclosed pls find...' or does that also have to have some sex appeal? Though try as I might, I can't figure out how to write an exciting cover letter! Any help wd be appreciated. Thanks.
- April 2, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Stein on Writing by Sol Stein. It's great nuts and bolts on writing effective paragraphs and stories. It's the sort of book I didn't even think I needed to read until I started it.
- April 2, 2009 at 12:15 AM
WORD PAINTING by Rebecca McClanahan changed the way I read books and my work. Fantastic.
- April 2, 2009 at 12:23 AM
whoo hoo to the new website!
- April 2, 2009 at 12:35 AM
- redqueen1 said...
I have two because they address two different aspects of writing.
Orson Scott Card's HOW TO WRITE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY. That book is amazing.
Noah Lukeman's THE FIRST FIVE PAGES: A WRITER'S GUIDE TO STAYING OUT OF THE REJECTION PILE.
- April 2, 2009 at 1:52 AM
- Morning Scribbler said...
BLOCKBUSTER PLOTS by Martha Alderson and THE SUCCESSFUL NOVELIST by David Morrell
- April 2, 2009 at 1:55 AM
- Damyanti said...
Hi Nathan,
Great post here, and a terrific resource in terms of book suggestions from your readers.
I was making a copy of the books and authors, and thought why not make a list?
So I've made a list of the books posted so far in the comments and posted them here:
Here are a few books I've been reading:
# Fiction Writer's Workshop Josip Novakovich
# Write is a Verb Bill O' Hanlon
# Writing Tools Roy Peter Clark
- April 2, 2009 at 1:56 AM
- MrTact said...
I have found both Some Writers Deserve to Starve by Elaura Niles and The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman invaluable.
- April 2, 2009 at 2:09 AM
- Dorinda Ohnstad said...
There is one book that sits on my desk at all times within reach, which is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers - How to edit yourself into print by Renni Browne and Dave King.
- April 2, 2009 at 2:10 AM
- Vodka Mom said...
Stephen King- On Writing. HAND'S DOWN.
- April 2, 2009 at 6:18 AM
I'd like to delurk to second Kathleen Ryan and recommend THE MODERN LIBRARY WRITER'S WORKSHOP: A GUIDE TO THE CRAFT OF FICTION by Stephen Koch. It definitely gave me a kick in the pants.
THE PARIS REVIEW INTERVIEWS are also gold for an insight into the writing process of some big literary names.
I only read the non-autobiographical parts of Stephen King's ON WRITING and certainly appreciated a lot of the wisdom but was not blown away by it like some others...but then I'm an unpublished nobody so what do I know?
Thanks Nathan for another great post and everyone else for expanding my reading list to even more outlandish proportions!
- April 2, 2009 at 6:36 AM
- Ari Lestariono said...
Bruce Lee by Bruce Lee
- April 2, 2009 at 7:22 AM
- Eva Ulian said...
Just posted a picture of the books I mentioned in my list above here-
just in case someone didn't believe me... ah yes I forgot to add number 16. Teach Yourself Screenwriting by Raymond G Frensham
- April 2, 2009 at 8:06 AM
- Judy Schneider said...
THE WRITER'S JOURNEY: MYTHIC STRUCTURE FOR WRITERS by Christopher Vogler
If your story has all the elements he suggests and you spend the time to write well and revise, you'll gain notice. It's a great guide for writing the plot- and/or character-driven story.
- April 2, 2009 at 8:18 AM
- Ink said...
I'm reading On Writing right this very minute... Oooh, nice pages! Pretty words! Look, I'm turning the page! I'm going to read it ALL DAY!
- April 2, 2009 at 8:28 AM
- AMB said...
All of the Poets on Poetry Series books from University of Michigan Press. I work there so maybe I'm a little (or a lot) biased but they really are beautiful, insightful, and instant classics.
- April 2, 2009 at 9:09 AM


text:
In 1917 the Mexican Constitutional Congress adopted a new constitution. It confirmed the separation of church and state first decreed in the 1857 constitution, returned subsoil rights to the government from ownership and control by foreign corporations, established the basis for secular education, and provided for land reforms. Five articles restricted the power and liberty of the Catholic church. These forbade public worship outside of churches, restricted the church's right to own property, c … [Read more...]
For Greater Glory opens June 1
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
School of Music announces April schedule
The University of South Carolina's School of Music will present several guest-artist performances, as well as band and ensemble concerts, for April.
All events are free and open to the public and will be held in the School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St., unless noted otherwise.
Choral concerts:
April 13—7:30 p.m.
Carolina Alive concert
April 14—7:30 p.m.
Concert Choir and the University Chorus concert
Bands and ensemble performances:
April 1—7:30 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts
USC Symphonic Winds and University Band
April 12—7:30 p.m.
USC Jazz Combos recital
April 17—USC Historic Horseshoe
USC Bands on the Horseshoe
April 21—7:30 p.m.
Left Bank Big Band concert
April 25—7:30 p.m., Koger Center for the Arts
USC Wind Ensemble
Guest performances:
April 15—7:30 p.m.
JACK String Quartet -- Consisting of violinists Christopher Otto and Ari Streisfeld, violist John Pickford Richards and cellist Kevin McFarland, the JACK Quartet is focused on the commissioning and performance of new works. The quartet also has a keen interest in unusual reworkings of music written before familiar repertoire, including works by Guillaume de Machaut, Girolamo Frescobaldi and Josquin des Prez.
For more information on School of Music events, visit www.music.sc.edu, or contact Laveta Gibson at email@example.com or 777-4336.


text:
If you go see "Oz the Great and Powerful," you'll most likely be handed 3-D glasses, the better to appreciate an expensive, lavishly produced special effects extravaganza and plop a few more dollars into Disney's coffers. But you'll need to supply your own air quotes.
A healthy sense of irony is needed not only to stomach the title — the shifty, wispy protagonist of this "Wizard of Oz" prequel is neither great nor powerful — but also for most of the production, which constantly falls short of the inflated expectations it has set up for itself.
Starting with a woefully miscast James Franco in the title role, continuing through a lame story line that's merely a warmed-over version of the 1939 movie adaptation, and extending to visual effects that never approach the dazzlement and wonder of its revolutionary forbearer, "Oz the Great and Powerful" is a big, over-processed misfire that with a little more care and ingenuity might have lived up to its name.
When "Oz the Great and Powerful" opens, Oscar Diggs (Franco) is working as a sideshow conjurer with a traveling circus in 1905 Kansas, captured, fittingly enough, in the black-and-white, square-framed format of old-timey cinema. After an interminable, sludgily paced opening sequence during which Oscar (a.k.a. "Oz") breaks hearts and mistreats his faithful assistant, Frank (Zach Braff), he's forced to make a quick escape from the midway via hot-air balloon, at which point he's caught in a cyclone that plops him down in a brightly colored, wide-screen world of enormous, psychedelically hued flowers, mysterious forests and a crystalline city made entirely of emerald.
If that all sounds familiar, it's meant to: "Oz the Great and Powerful" hews faithfully — some might say slavishly — to Victor Fleming's "The Wizard of Oz," this time casting the man behind the curtain as the outsider who embarks on a heroic quest with the help of friends he makes along the way. In Oz's case, these are a flying monkey named Finley (voiced by Braff), a delicate painted china doll (Joey King) and, eventually, a witch named Glinda (Michelle Williams), who enlists Oz to help her fight her evil counterpart, Evanora (Rachel Weisz).
Oz also meets a witch named Theodora, played by the always-fetching Mila Kunis in a performance that, for an actress who has shown such spirit and verve in previous films, seems strangely un-focused and inert here (at least initially). Admittedly, Kunis doesn't have much of a partner in Franco, whose laid-back, half-mast coolness bears no resemblance to the manipulative sharpie Oz is supposed to be. When Franco says the word "prestidigitation" behind his stoner's grin, it's as if he's uttering it for the first time in English class. Time travel may be one element of the L. Frank Baum stories on which "The Wizard of Oz" and this incarnation are based, but plopping a Gen-X California boy into a role that calls for swift instincts and shrewd alertness is an error from which "Oz the Great and Powerful" never recovers.
The same could be said for a story that, as written by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Sam Raimi, feels like little more than an afterthought, a lame attempt to cash in on the enduring appeal of "The Wizard of Oz" without providing any genuine imagination or innovation of its own. As Oz and his motley band travel down the Yellow Brick Road, Raimi punctuates their journey with nods and references to the classic "Oz" film, introducing a fierce lion, an army of scarecrows and a field full of horses of a different color along the way (not to mention Munchkins and Winkie Guards). But what's meant to be an affectionate, clever way of establishing continuity between the two narratives instead serves to remind viewers of the enduring superiority of the classic.
As an origin story, "Oz the Great and Powerful" comes up with some interesting theories, especially having to do with the Wicked Witch of the East and her green-skinned sister. But mostly, this movie seems designed merely to up an already bloated special-effects ante, from the now-30-percent-more-terrifying flying monkeys to a prolonged, explosive climactic sequence.
Aside from some lyrical moments early on when flames and birds dart out of the sides of the frame, 3-D technology adds little to an underwhelming endeavor. Like "John Carter" last year and "Jack the Giant Slayer" last week, "Oz the Great and Powerful" qualifies as a cautionary tale, not about the perils of ambition and selfishness, but about the movie industry's misguided belief that it can distract the audience from a film's narrative weaknesses with little more than flash and spectacle. That con might have worked with the rubes once upon a time, but in case Hollywood hasn't noticed, we're not in Kansas anymore.
PG. At area theaters. Contains sequences of action and scary images and obscenity. 130 minutes.


text:
Units of Study
MECO4011 - Media and Communications Honours A
Semester 1, 2012 | Credit Points: 12
Coordinator: Dr Megan Le Masurier
The Honours program in Media and Communications consists of:
1. A thesis written or produced under the supervision of one or more members of academic staff
2. Four seminars that meet weekly for two hours each during semester one.
(Note that mid year enrolment is not available.)
Students from other institutions are accepted into the program, and are requested to provide samples of previous academic work as well as a proposal.
For more information, contact Dr Megan Le Masurier, Honours coordinator.
1x18-20000wd thesis (60%), 4x4000wd seminar papers (40%)
4x2-hr seminars/week in semester 1, 6x 0.5hr supervisor consultations/semester
Average of high credit or above in senior units within the completed BA (Media and Communications)
A timetable is not available for this session.
Please refer to the list of Units of Study on the left-hand menu to view the units on offer for the relevant academic year.
The information displayed above is indicative only as online information is subject to change without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney


text:
Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway play the new game that is sweeping the nation or at least their corner of the world. Golden Globe fight. One Golden Globe is stronger than all the rest.
Later, Anne hugged it out with Amanda Seyfried.
Megan Hilty & Brian Gallagher
Jack McBrayer & Amy Adams
Bill Murray and Kelly Lynch
Hugh Jackman and his wife.
Jane Lynch
The women from "Girls"
Heidi Klum
Ariel Winter


text:
Prayer in the Qur'an
Verbal prayer and prayer in action
As well as verbal prayer, Allah expects His servants to demonstrate how important they consider a prayer that asks for something to be, by their endeavor. This endeavor is called "prayer in action."
Prayer in action expresses one's exhausting all means to attain a desired end. In order to take the university exams, for instance, one needs to fill in the related forms, take courses and study. All these actions are prayers in action. Meanwhile, asking for success from Allah while accomplishing all these is also a prayer. The prayer in action is a basic act of worship that must be performed together with verbal prayer. Another example that clarifies verbal prayer and prayer in action is repentance. Asking for repentance and forgiveness for a sin is a verbal prayer. However, one's responsibility does not end here: one who prays to Allah to protect him from evil must also make some effort in this regard, and employ his will-power in situations where he has to choose between right and wrong. That is, he must truly repent and never return to his former ways after he has quit them. This would be his prayer in action.
Just as it is wrong for a person who only prays without involving himself in any kind of prayer in action, it is also wrong to say "I have accomplished this task," failing to pray verbally after completing the prayer in action.


text:
COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College
freshman Colby Allen of Jamestown, Ky., did not stress out about
moving into the college's residence halls on Saturday morning.
Allen waited until Friday night until he started packing for his
room in LWC's Horton Hall.
"I kept a mental list, and I did sit down on Friday night and
write out a list of things I thought I'd need," Allen said.
Allen said his parents, Greg and Dawn, and girlfriend Naomi Galito
of Russell Springs, Ky., helped him put his lists -- both mental
and physical -- into action on Friday night.
"They helped me pack and get everything together," Allen said. "We
were up pretty late working on it."
By 11 a.m. Saturday, Allen had transformed his Horton Hall room
into a fashionable college living space. All it lacked were power
strips and a trash can.
"That's not too bad," Allen said over lunch at the college's
Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center.
Allen was one of more than 800 students who moved Saturday into
LWC's residence halls. They joined about 300 students who started
moving into campus housing in early August.
LWC officials will not know final enrollment numbers for a several
weeks, but they expect the college to have a record enrollment of
more than 2,700 students in 2012-13. The 2012 fall semester
officially begins Aug. 22.
Officials already know that the college's freshman class is the
most talent in LWC's 109-year history.
"This is the most academically gifted and talented class in this
college's history," LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. said at a Saturday
afternoon welcome ceremony at the Doris and Bob Holloway Health
& Wellness Center. "I look forward to seeing the great things
you will accomplish and shaking your hands four years from now when
you walk across the stage at Biggers Sports Center as members of
the Lindsey Wilson Class of 2016."
Throughout their first week on campus, new residential students
will be involved in numerous team-building and orientation
activities designed to inculcate them to LWC campus life.
Most residential students arrived on campus by 9 a.m. CT Saturday
and were met by LWC faculty, staff and students and community
members who helped them move into their residence-hall rooms. Many
residential students had coordinated how their rooms would be
furnished, such as roommates Ryan Harper and Dustin Nash,
both of Russellville, Ky. Harper and Nash said they started to
discuss their living arrangements about two months ago.
Assisted by their families, the two were unpacked and settled by
mid-morning. In addition to the usual dorm-life furniture and
accessories, the two also unloaded more than a half-dozen
bulk-quantity boxes of snack cakes and candy.
"That will get us through about two weeks," Nash said.
A big reason move-in day went so smoothly was because how various
LWC offices across campus worked together.
"It was a very smooth day," said LWC Dean of Students Chris Schmidt. "Every department and office
did a great job coming together and welcoming our new students to
campus. … I always enjoy the start of a new semester because it
marks a new beginning for everyone -- students, faculty and
"When I see faculty and staff coming together to help the new
students make this new chapter in their life meaningful, it is
simply impressive. Lindsey Wilson College makes the transition for
students and parents easy and stress-free."
Although moving into residence halls was relatively easy for
students and their families, saying goodbye was not as
Before Allen of Jamestown came to LWC, his mother, Dawn, cooked
his favorite meal, spaghetti and meatballs, on Friday night.
"She cried at the meal while we were eating," Allen's father,
Greg, said.
But as Dawn Allen explained, the tears were as much about being
excited for her son as they were about seeing her son leave
"I'm very excited about the next leg of his journey in life, but
as a mom you get the right to mourn that and be excited at the same
time," she said.
More ...
Click here to see more pictures from move-in
Click here for the opening-week schedules.


text:
April 26, 2005
Finding a Job from the Inside Out:Growing from Your 9/11 Experience
For New Jersey residents, 9/11 targeted us where we work. With the job market drastically changed since then, you may be having difficulty finding employment or are currently under-employed. "It's for You NJ 911" invites you to attend this series of workshops to help you address some of these issues.
Theresa Creedon, MBA, an experienced lecturer on Career Change and Resilience, who has been personally touched by 9/11, and Sarah L. Schleifer, MSSW, LCSW, a social worker with over 20 years experience in trauma and recovery, will address issues of how to move forward in the workplace when affected by issues remaining from the events of September 11, 2001.
• Unconventional strategies for career reinvention• Recognizing your resilience and gaining confidence that you can use to create career options• What might be limiting your ability to put your "best foot forward" in a job interview• How to enhance your marketability• Techniques needed in today's job search
Tuesday, May 3, 2005, 7-9PMEdison Public Library340 Plainfield Avenue , Edison, NJ(732) 287-2298 Tuesday, May 10, 2005, 7-9PMInterweave, Calvary Parish House31 Woodland Ave, Summit, NJ (732) 227-2120
Wednesday, May 25, 2005Ridgewood Public Library125 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ(201) 670-5600
Please RSVP by calling 1-866-4-U-NJ-911
"It's for You NJ 911" offers free counseling, community education sessions and information and resources for New Jersey residents affected by the events of 9/11. "It's for You NJ 911" is sponsored by the Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Justice and UMDNJ- University Behavioral Healthcare. For more information call 1-866-4-U-NJ-911 or visit our website at www.4unj911.org.


text:
Justin Moore Showing Off New Baby Daughter
Listen to Justin Moore Radio on iHeartRadio
Justin Moore is giving fans a first look at the newest addition to his family.
The country star is sharing the first public photos of his third daughter, Rebecca Klein, through People.com.
He also admits that "since Klein's arrival things have been fun at home," and not "as crazy" as he "imagined it would be." Justin adds that it's "been a blast" to watch his other daughters, four-year-old Ella Kole and two-and-a-half-year-old Kennedy Faye, "interact with their new baby sister."
Klein made her entry into the world on July 14th. She's named after Justin's great-grandmother.
Photo: Getty Images


text:
I'm not sure where to post this, but what is the best way prevent downloading audio clips that can be played.
Well, to listen to audio in your browser, you have to download it. There are so many browser add-ons out there for downloading the file to your computer that I think it's barely worth trying to prevent it. Basically, if you want to protect it, don't put it online.
You can use rtmp streaming via a flash player, which doesn't cache in any way. There are applications that can still rip the stream, but these can be defeated with some extra coding if you really want to expend the effort.
Even my simple screen recording software will capture the audio.
True, there's no way you can avoid that. Most of the audio stock libraries online either overlay a periodical sound or use lower fidelity audio to get around this.
Your best option will be rtmp streaming, but as people above said, this won't give a good protection - but nothing can.
As long as the sound can be played, it can be recorded from your soundcard as it passes by - there are plenty of sw out there to do this.
Thank you
I will look into rtmp streaming.
I realize it is impossible. We are trying to make it more difficult. IE: not be able to right click to download the track.
Before you consider disabling right click, consider that right clicking a link does more than allow the user to save as. It also allows the user to open the clip in a new tab or a new window. Whenever you try to change the default actions of your visitors' browsers, you are going to irritate them, so always consider providing a satisfactory user experience first.
The right-click is disabled within the flash play button only. It plays 5 second sound clips. It's hard to imagine a reason to access the context menu in this instance and it is acceptable loss if 1 in a million power users find this a little irritating.
Anyone who finds it irritating can simply disable the code you used to try to block their access. The browser owner has full control of what can and can't be done in their browser.
Those you are specifically trying to block will definitely bypass your code. Only a few web newbies who use the context menu as their means of navigating the web will actually be impacted by your code.
Add an audio "watermark", like Envato does - check http://audiojungle.net


text:
Things expanded when Beaton suggested in 1969 that the museum begin collecting contemporary dress.
According to Beaton, the additional downturn in tourism will have grave consequences.
But you do know it, Mr. Beaton, and I am sure you know just how much or how little you mean by coming here.
On the death of Cardinal Beaton, he became his successor as Primate.
But he did not find Lindau at Maroni's; he only found Beaton.
He was accused of heresy by Cardinal Beaton; but was not convicted.
Conrad came last with Beaton, who had been turning over the music at the piano, and chafing inwardly at the whole affair.
The Beaton and the Ogilvie arms are still to be seen in one of the rooms.
Mrs. Penn became a really useful member of the household, and waited on Mrs. Beaton with careful attention.
It is borne by her chamberlain, Beaton, who is going on legal business to Edinburgh.