Recommended reading for writers – February 2009
By Iain Broome | 8 March 2009 | 5 comments
This post points you towards some of last month’s best writing articles from around the blogosphere. It’s also a heads up about what’s in store at Write for Your Life.
Well, here we are eventually. This is a belated recommended reading post due to what’s been an exceptionally busy February. I’ve had to take my own advice and pull back a bit, as other work has come and gone from here there and every-blinkin’-where.
The general busyness has meant I haven’t been able to read as much I’d have liked. So as you work your way down the page, you’ll notice a slightly shorter list than last month, but hopefully the links will be useful all the same.
Coming up on Write for Your Life
Despite the workload, there’s plentyin store for March on Write for Your Life.
This week there’ll be a nice and juicy midweek post, which tells you, in a very polite way, how to stay proud of your writing, even years later. All being well, that will be followed up next weekend by the second Write for Your Life podcast, where I’ll be chatting with Manuela Boyle, who’s already asked you about your writer’s toolbelt.
Also, this month Write for Your Life will have it’s own sister site, of sorts. Long frustrated by how hard it can be to find a central source for writing-based websites, I’ve decided to set up my own. It will work much like the design showcase sites you see, and you’ll be able to submit sites that you think should be on there, including your own.
More of all that later though. For now, here’s some recommended reading for February.
Write up your street
- Getting into character: Fiction writing exercises | Writing Forward
Three great exercises for getting to know and work with your characters. I particularly like the idea of having a chat with a character in email or instant messaging form. Potentially terrifying. - Rethinking creativity | Amy Sue Nathan
I rather like watching this 20-minute video featuring Elizabeth Gilbert who wrote Eat, Pray, Love. I admit, I know nothing of the book, but she speaks well and has some interesting thoughts on the creative process. - The big secrets no one talks about | Men With Pens
Thoughts on whether freelancers should be transparent about what they charge on their websites. Working full-time for a design company as I do, it doesn’t affect me as such, but I know it does many other writers and I found it interesting. - Does procrastination arouse you? | Someday Syndrome
This post hit home for me as most of my novel was written to deadlines and I would frequently work right up to the wire. If you’re the same, this is worth a read. - Q&A: Literary Agent Michael Bourret | Editor Unleashed
Only a short interview but interesting stuff nonetheless. I was particularly curious about the bit where he says writers need to be their own marketing machine.
So, that’s it. Only a short list, like I say. I’d also like to give an honourable mention to ‘Why it’s worth sticking with Twitter‘ from Confident Writing, which relates nicely to my post on how creative writers can use Twitter.
And lastly, to ‘Stick a chart in it‘, which contains a great writing reference halfway down and is generally a hoot of a post from start to finsh, by Nick Cernis of Todoodlist fame and Put Things Off.
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Related posts:
- Recommended reading for writers – March 2009
- Recommended reading for writers – January 2009
- Launching our new sister site: Websites for writers
- Scrap that last post – we won!
- Write for Your Life nominated for best writing blog in ‘Creativity’ category
Comment by Joanna Young
8 March 2009
Thanks for the honourable mention, and glad to hear you’re busy with work!
Joanna Young’s last blog post: Group Writing Project: Writing Lessons
Comment by Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome
8 March 2009
Yay to arousing you with my post! Thanks – I’m glad it gave you something to think about.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post: Looking for accountability: Introducing Lab Rat Barb
Comment by Melissa Donovan
8 March 2009
Terrifying? Nah. Chatting with your character is fun and revealing. Heheh. Thanks for the link love!
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post: Good Grammar! It’s National Grammar Day
Comment by Manuela Boyle
9 March 2009
Boy I love coincidences. I picked up ‘Eat Pray Love’ last week in Berlin, as it was one of the few English language items I could buy to read in a rather fabulous and otherwise German bookshop. Normally it’s the EXACTLY the sort of book I steer clear of…but I am pleased to report that it wasn’t your average ‘go find yourself’ book. It had something a bit different to say. And was very well-written. So thank you – I’m now off to watch Elizabeth Gilbert on Ted!
Comment by Iain
11 March 2009
@Joanna Young No problem, and yes, I know I shouldn’t complain in the current climate. Brrr.
@Alex Fayle Certainly did – thanks for popping over, as ever.
@Melissa Donovan I guess it depends on who your character is and what they get up to! And no worries.
@Manuela Boyle Well, there you go. Who’d have thunked it? Let me know what you think of the video.