Surprise
Over the years, she willy-nilly tossed seeds, plants and bulbs into pots and flower beds.
Each spring she felt a thrill of anticipation followed by surprise and delight.
She more or less lived her entire life that way, even when the elements delivered a sucker-punch.
Photo by Artistry by Adele
I’ve written about when to step back from devouring how-to-write books like you’re cramming for a big exam. Now I’d like to mention six books on writing that have kept me moving forward through the years. Many books on craft have been invaluable resources, but I’m not listing them here, because they’re already on most writers’ lists.
The following books woke my spirit when I first read them years ago, along with Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones and Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. They inspired me at a deep level and set me back on course whenever I was derailed. These are just a few:
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s one of the first I read that was a triple whammy of self-help guide, spiritual practice and specific tasks. She suggested writing three stream-of-consciousness pages every morning. As a result, I’ve been doing morning pages for twenty years. I feel unmoored if I haven’t done them before starting my day.
One Continuous Mistake by Gail Sher. Sher said, “Staying focused on who you are (with all your faults) requires maturity, perseverance and tremendous self-compassion. Act like and treat yourself as though your mind were joyful, kind and big—as though it were radiant, unlimitedly friendly and large. In reality, your true nature is such and if you treat yourself this way, you just may rise to the occasion.” It’s so easy to let negative thoughts creep in, and Sher reminds us to be our own champions.
If You Want to Write, A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland. In her preface Ueland said, “Be Bold, be Free, be Truthful.” Simple words that can take a lifetime to achieve.
The Passionate, Accurate Story, Making your Heart’s Truth int
o Literature by Carol Bly. Her advice discusses writing in a moral, political and emotional context.
The Spooky Art by Norman Mailer. Best advice on what to read when you’re in the middle of writing a novel. Mailer said, “It’s disturbing to read a novelist with a good style when you’re in the middle of putting your work together. It’s much like taking your car apart and having all the pieces on 
the floor just as somebody rides by in a Ferrari.” I understood exactly what he was talking about even though I’ve never taken a car apart.
Writing Alone and with Others by Pat Schneider. Schneider started Amherst Writers & Artists writing workshops thirty years ago on the principal that teaching craft can be practiced without damage to the creative spirit, a writer is someone who writes, and every writer has a unique voice. I’ve written about my wonderful experience of attending an AWA writer’s group in this blog.
I’d love to hear what books on writing have inspired you on your writing journey.
I didn’t think a writer’s group was for me. Solitude was what brought out my creative ideas. I certainly didn’t expect a writing group to help me grow as a human being.
I feel differently now.
Some days scrolling through the how-to advice on my laptop is like walking through a forest while being bombarded by squadrons of gnats. There’s no getting away from the swarm of emails, articles and blogs on craft and marketing advice about building a platform, how to use social media to improve your brand, productivity, and so on.
Granted, no one is holding a gun to my head to make me read those articles. I put the pressure on myself. I want to be a better writer (learn not to use clichés) and I want to learn more about how to reach readers. But through my writing group, I’m able to step back and find perspective.
My Amherst Writers and Artists group is an oasis of calm in a multitasking world. It’s an island where there’s no right or wrong way. We write, we read, we listen, we talk. We don’t judge. We respond to someone’s first bloom of creativity by deep listening. We often ask the writer to read the piece again, or to repeat lines. We take our time. We tell the writer what touched us, what phrase, tone, word or idea caught our imaginations. We always offer positive feedback. It’s not a critique group. What we’ve written are rough first drafts of possible poems, beginnings of short stories or new scenes for a novel or memoir. Sometimes it’s humorous, sometimes heartbreakingly sad, and always written from deep truth.
How has listening affected my life outside the writing group?
Like most of the tech-crazed people I know, I am often guilty of locking my eyes on my cell phone or staring at an overhead television at a restaurant with spouse or friends, or losing the thread of a conversation because my mind is on what I have to do next or what I’m going to say.
My writing group has reminded me to fully listen to what others are saying and to take the time to respond thoughtfully to their words. It’s not a dashed off email, or a tweet or an Instagram or Facebook post or even a blog. It’s an intimate connection. I’ve learned that it’s a gift when someone really listens to me, and I love returning that gift. It’s making me a better person and a better writer.
Asphalt Advice
Say hello to others
See the forest
Drink lots of water
Remain calm
Ride a bike
Take your time
Smile
Simplify
Wear clothing that fits
Unplug
All I wanted was a parking space.
[I took this photo in the parking lot at The Camp, a favorite place in Costa Mesa. Art, good food, great atmosphere.]
This past week three blog posts made a big impact on me. It amazes me how often the right blog pops up to help me with whatever I’m grappling with at the moment. I believe there’s magic afoot.
The first one was Chuck Sambuchino’s, Why “Keep Moving Forward” is my Best Advice for Writers Everywhere. I found it on Writer Unboxed, a favorite blog I follow that started as a collaboration and now includes a rich community of contributors. I had just sent my mystery to an editor to critique and was driving myself crazy waiting for feedback and agonizing over what ifs of the negative type.
Sambuchino’s advice: “In my opinion, the most frustrating thing about writing books is that so much is out of your control. Keep moving forward. That is probably the best advice I can give you as you continue toward your writing goals, whatever they may be. I promise myself that while I may fail at a task at hand, whether it’s small or big — I will not fail because of a personal lack of effort. There are so many things I cannot control, but you can be damn sure that I will keep moving forward through bad news. I do it because it’s all I can do. Keep moving forward and I promise everything will be all right.”
Maybe I have no control over the editor’s opinion of my mystery but I could continue to work on a short story or read an inspiring blog like Writer Unboxed where I always find something that keeps me “moving forward.”
Sacramento Gold
A second blog/website I found this week felt like I’d struck a vein of gold. Kate’s Miscellany ~ For Valley Writers is a comprehensive listing in the Sacramento area of current events, educational and local publishing resources for writers, and lots more useful links for local writers and readers. It’s a blog that gives back.
Sometimes Questions are better than Answers
Another blog I follow is Ruminating Merlin. This blogger often asks thought-provoking questions. He’s an avid reader and I like his comments on what’s happening at Apple and Amazon, the Pulitzer board failing to name a fiction winner this year and how English teachers feel about teaching to testing standards rather than to enrich minds. All weighty subjects. He ponders what it means for him personally, and to society.
Linda Townsdin 