tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6282453387017100137..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: List of craft books-updatedJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18781982371534805752015-12-29T23:43:47.401-05:002015-12-29T23:43:47.401-05:00Fantastic list! I also suggest Nathan Bransford...Fantastic list! I also suggest Nathan Bransford's excellent and concise HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL?<br />The Penultimushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15970222257381550109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10704720492861018122015-12-25T16:38:07.507-05:002015-12-25T16:38:07.507-05:00Yikes! I meant to comment and thought I had, but b...Yikes! I meant to comment and thought I had, but between getting my book out and preparing to drive half way across the country, I apparently forgot. I'm glad to see _Writing Down the Bones_ on your list-- it's what I meant to suggest. It was a huge help to me. I recommend it frequently, and have give away at least a half dozen copies.<br /><br />I am definitely a fan of Ms. Goldberg.roadkills-r-ushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029861300358380117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16676757760498983092015-12-24T06:51:57.857-05:002015-12-24T06:51:57.857-05:00Yowza, any books on fixing transmissions? No, well...Yowza, any books on fixing transmissions? No, well okay.<br /><br />Thanks, awesome. Wow.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78813015209085657292015-12-24T06:30:13.337-05:002015-12-24T06:30:13.337-05:00Writing for Children and Teenagers is awesome. Tha...Writing for Children and Teenagers is awesome. Thanks for reminding me about 101 -I have that and need to read it again.CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70242991987880909812015-12-24T06:22:39.136-05:002015-12-24T06:22:39.136-05:00Wow, Janet, thank you for this list. I do have sev...Wow, Janet, thank you for this list. I do have several listed here (of course, Elements of Style and Hooked) but I would be remiss if I didn't include a few others that aren't listed. Each of these has something well worth reading, some more than others, but here goes in alphabetical order:<br /><br />FINDING YOUR VOICE How To Put Personality In Your Writing by Les Edgerton<br />GIVE 'EM WHAT THEY WANT by Blythe Camerson & Marshall J. Cook<br />HOW FICTION WORKS by Oakley Hall<br />HOW TO WRITE & SELL YOUR FIRST NOVEL by Oscar Collier<br />STRUCTURING YOUR NOVEL From Basic Idea To Finished Manuscript by Robert C. Meredith & John D. Fitzgerald<br />YOU CAN WRITE A NOVEL by James V. Smith, Jr.<br />WRITING FOR CHILDREN & TEENAGERS by Lee Wyndham Revised by Arnold Madison<br /><br />For those interested in writing screenplays:<br /><br />AUTHOR! SCREENWRITER! by Peter Miller<br />HOW NOT TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make by Denny Martin Flinn<br />THE SCREENWRITER'S BIBLE by David Trottier<br /><br /><br />LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69002182310731836882015-12-24T03:34:20.844-05:002015-12-24T03:34:20.844-05:00Thank you ever so much for this list, QOTKU!!! It&...Thank you ever so much for this list, QOTKU!!! It's been printed, and many (I've read several) just ended up on my TBR pile.<br /><br />I was one of those who also rushed out and ordered Barbara Baig's SPELLBINDING SENTENCES, and have a copy of SAVE THE CAT on my bookshelf which I've absolutely devoured. <br /><br />Two others, not on your list but which I've learned huge amounts from, are Porter G. Perrin's WRITER'S GUIDE AND INDEX TO ENGLISH and Donald M. Murray's A WRITER TEACHES WRITING. They're both fairly ancient, but I love the way that they teach their own various topics (grammar-y stuff and composition, respectively).<br /><br />Congratulations, Cynthia, and all the best for a quick recovery for you both. <br /><br />And Merry Christmas, everyone! (It's less than 6 hours away here in Australia, and the kids are at fever pitch!)Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28460043248181899322015-12-24T03:29:06.745-05:002015-12-24T03:29:06.745-05:00Colin,
I love your world building of Carkoon. I...Colin,<br />I love your world building of Carkoon. I'm there. When are you going to write the Book of Carkoon? angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13107944600020326872015-12-23T22:52:44.366-05:002015-12-23T22:52:44.366-05:00Compiling all these books into a list is a great g...Compiling all these books into a list is a great gift! Thanks, Janet and thanks everyone else for the suggestions.<br /><br />Writing Down the Bones was the book that got me back into writing seriously a few years ago. I'd read it before and one day when I was trying to fit all my books on the shelves I picked it up and started rereading and got inspired to get back to writing. Cindy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13196306055833459983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88081330987114125212015-12-23T20:09:01.995-05:002015-12-23T20:09:01.995-05:00Love The Artist's Way. I'm reading it for ...Love The Artist's Way. I'm reading it for the eleventy-hundredth time. Every time I do I see things I never saw before. Morning Pages are the best (3 pages of longhand writing every morning). CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11770293103519355222015-12-23T19:30:41.466-05:002015-12-23T19:30:41.466-05:00WOW, what a list! Thanks QOTKU!
And Cynthia— YEY!...WOW, what a list! Thanks QOTKU!<br /><br />And Cynthia— YEY! HUZZAH! Happy news and Happy Holidays!<br /><br />Susan, Julie, KdJames, BL<br />I'm adding some of those to my list!<br /><br />What a handy post and an entertaining comment thread (Colin, thanks much for the chuckle-needed that :))Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26368008240603650122015-12-23T19:07:27.066-05:002015-12-23T19:07:27.066-05:00As you all know, the name Buttonweezer carries a l...As you all know, the name Buttonweezer carries a lot of weight on Carkoon (with a name that long, how could it not?). The Buttonweezer clan boasts many notable figures, not just the beloved Felix, and today’s post puts me in mind of Beetruce Buttonweezer. Back when I was on Carkoon (oh, those blessed days of skin-peeling sun and eye-watering stench!), I recall her book, THUH KRAFT OF RYTING, was a standard text for students at Carkoon University. I still have a copy somewhere (yes, of all the things to bring with me to Slush Pile Exile…!), so here’s a portion, with all the appropriate grammatical and spelling corrections applied:<br /><br />****<br />While it is preferable on Carkoon to communicate by emittance of a variety of bodily noises, or by using some physical means of making one’s meaning and intention clear, in some cases, it can be advantageous to use writing for the same purpose. With writing it is possible to achieve the same clarity of meaning as, for example, a well-placed flatulent outburst, or a carefully-timed disembowelment. Though, unlike these time tested, tried-and-true methods of communication, with writing one must place particular attention upon the order of words and the use of punctuation lest one’s meaning be misconstrued to one’s disadvantage.<br /><br />I am reminded of a student who attempted to utilize the writing technique while still a novice. As I recall, he had a grievance with someone who owed him money, and eschewing the common practice of removing a limb of equal value, he attempted a letter of complaint. Unfortunately, his grasp of word placement and punctuation was primitive such that he ended up selling himself into servitude, and offering himself to his communicant’s sister for the production of future offspring. As you know, the written document is as solid legally as bloodshed. I haven’t heard from the poor student since, so learn these lessons well if you wish to master the craft of writing.<br /><br />We will begin our lessons with the order of words, and why it is inadvisable to leave it up to the reader to determine the intended sequence. For example, “I want to feel the burning you have for me” is a perfectly acceptable expression of romantic desire. “I have the want to feel you burning me” is not, unless you work for Madam Blackwhip.<br /><br />****<br /><br />It’s a fascinating work... :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16161170196729738082015-12-23T18:42:50.429-05:002015-12-23T18:42:50.429-05:00Thank you your Highness, the Duchess of Sharkdom (...Thank you your Highness, the Duchess of Sharkdom (or is it the Queen, I've forgotten). Now there's more to add to my "All I want for Christmas" list. <br /><br />With all this added reading, though, I must pause to ponder if the new year will also afford me added writing time. After all, the Shark, with her healthy appetite, grazes the depths. Yum, yum; chomp, chomp. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16714778117954527535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12972862802209005602015-12-23T17:31:01.387-05:002015-12-23T17:31:01.387-05:00I have a good many of the books on that list, some...I have a good many of the books on that list, some more helpful than others. There are a few others that should be mentioned and have been valuable to me in one way or another:<br /><br />The Writer's Journey, by Christopher Voegler<br />Story, by Robert McKee<br />The Novel Writer's Toolkit, by Bob Mayer<br />Stein on Writing, by Sol Stein<br />Scene & Structure, by Jack Bickham<br /><br />And not so much about craft, but creativity:<br /><br />The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield<br />Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott<br />The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron<br /><br />But if I were allowed to recommend only ONE book about craft, it would be this one:<br /><br />Screenwriting Tricks for Authors, by Alexandra Sokoloff<br /><br />And for those of you short on funds (aren't we all?), I also highly recommend her website/blog www.screenwritingtricks.com where there is SO MUCH information. Honest to god, Alex is one of the most generous people I know when it comes to sharing her knowledge with other writers, and her ability to describe stuff so it makes sense is just amazing.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1088699048539358632015-12-23T16:49:53.789-05:002015-12-23T16:49:53.789-05:00Funny thing! Save the Cat is sitting on my table, ...Funny thing! Save the Cat is sitting on my table, even as I read this. Nice to know I am on the right track. <br />My cat thinks so too.<br />Merry Christmas, everyone!Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19261341345479846912015-12-23T16:20:57.425-05:002015-12-23T16:20:57.425-05:00An incredible list, thank you.Though I am not real...An incredible list, thank you.Though I am not really asking for you to do more work I was wondering if I could make a suggestion? Would you be so kind as to build a new category of blog post around this?<br /><br />Perhaps something like author assets to go right under author asshats.<br /><br />I would appreciate it. At the moment I believe I will finish my WIP and get a query package together. I know the concept will get attention but if I get a few requests that don't make it I'll read a few of them.<br /><br />Better yet, tell Colin to do it.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77491057736316901462015-12-23T14:42:53.984-05:002015-12-23T14:42:53.984-05:00Good news on the husband being released, CynthiaMa...Good news on the husband being released, CynthiaMac.<br /><br />THANK YOU Ms. Janet for this list. I suppose the good news is we provided more than what is pointed out as no mentions! I think the little tidbits off to the side are interesting too. Like the "Amazon says it was pubbed in 1900!" <br /><br />I would also say certain books work for some while not for others. I liked Bird by Bird, FOREST FOR THE TREES, and ON WRITING b/c they didn't get into a whole lot of detailed analysis, i.e., it wasn't like attending class with a boring, dry professor. Those books, IMO, were written as if sitting down with the authors, and they were simply talking to you about craft. That's what works for me.<br /><br />SPELLBINDING SENTENCES arrived the other day. I hope it "speaks" to me in the same way. I haven't had a chance to even peek at it yet.<br /><br />Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-44169461358025387242015-12-23T14:24:54.583-05:002015-12-23T14:24:54.583-05:00Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is a great book; ...Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is a great book; however, you could argue that editing is not really craft, per se. BUT Ayn Rand's The Art of Fiction absolutely belongs on this list and it is a travesty to leave it off. So much help in that book that doesn't exist anywhere else.Rachael Ann Marehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08493896705983713626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83205240093775954042015-12-23T13:06:58.046-05:002015-12-23T13:06:58.046-05:00Mine too! I went to a conference several years ago...Mine too! I went to a conference several years ago as an actor and was writing between sessions. A sweet lady walked up to me and asked me what I was writing. I was working on the scene where my debutante turned blockade runner was caught smack in the middle of the Battle of Mobile Bay. She asked if she could read it. I never NEVER let anyone read anything of mine until it's been published but I let her see it. She said "I know you think you're a novelist but you're really a screenwriter. Go to that session." I did and she was the instructor. Surprise! I felt like I was coming home. <br /><br />There is a great Save the Cat forum as well. I got back into acting so haven't been there in a while but they are great people and several of us have remained friends. CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91743335350159224622015-12-23T12:54:32.260-05:002015-12-23T12:54:32.260-05:00Get the other one :)Get the other one :)CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26093992008597520402015-12-23T12:52:57.717-05:002015-12-23T12:52:57.717-05:00Yay, Cynthia - wonderful news! =)
Thank you so mu...Yay, Cynthia - wonderful news! =)<br /><br />Thank you so much Janet for this list! I wonder if my bank would approve a Book Buying Loan. They should. If they have their priorities right. <br /><br />And to borrow a line from that good old shark movie, "We're gonna need a bigger book shelf."Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-76765277339034644462015-12-23T12:50:55.625-05:002015-12-23T12:50:55.625-05:00Fingers crossed for your FIL. So sad about his BIL...Fingers crossed for your FIL. So sad about his BIL. Keeping all of you in our prayers. CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26900430591354229442015-12-23T12:19:18.492-05:002015-12-23T12:19:18.492-05:00I forgot to mention a couple of other titles I lov...I forgot to mention a couple of other titles I loved. William Goldman's Which Lie do I Tell and Adventures in the Screen Trade. Like Save the Cat, they're for screenwriters (I work in the movie biz as a day job), but the principles are the same for any form of storytelling. They're great reads, and very helpful.Kate Larkindalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66569698270032768122015-12-23T12:11:26.465-05:002015-12-23T12:11:26.465-05:00And if I could just add two books by Shawn Coyne&#...And if I could just add two books by Shawn Coyne's associate Steven Pressfield (my hero in the mental battle with myself) - THE WAR OF ART and TURNING PRO. Both digestible in a couple hours. Both about your writing as a job. Both about overcoming resistance in all its pernicious forms and becoming a professional detached from the pain and suffering. I read them at every stage of a novel-in-progress, especially when my stomach turns and I want to run like hell. These two little books are game changers.BL Storriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07013001128944365801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64415857115082058582015-12-23T12:10:55.901-05:002015-12-23T12:10:55.901-05:00HUZZAH, Cynthia! Happy Christmas!
FIL may be disc...HUZZAH, Cynthia! Happy Christmas!<br /><br />FIL may be discharged today; we'll find out later. But in other sad news, his BIL passed today. I didn't know him well, but I get the sense it was expected (Alzheimers). The last thing my inlaws need is more grief right now.Brigidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13768090206152536761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38416410272824344122015-12-23T12:08:52.721-05:002015-12-23T12:08:52.721-05:00Oh hey, I forgot until now. The short story I ment...Oh hey, I forgot until now. The short story I mentioned in the comments on this week's WIR is "Green Pants" (not "New Pants") and is by Stephen Graham Jones. Because I know you were all waiting with bated breath ;). On the same day, we also read "Last Will" by Kevin McIlvoy, and it was interesting to compare the two.Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.com