Friday, May 15, 2009

What I'm Reading...

I'm a class/workshop/writing book junkie! I love to learn. I probably could have been one of those people who is a professional student, you know, always taking one class after another and never actually graduating and getting a job. LOL

I heard about this book several times over the past couple of weeks, and I tend to believe if something keeps being put in front of me, I'm supposed to be paying attention to it. So I picked it up at B&N and started going through it. It has some great tips, and great worksheets. I'm not sure that I'll actually stick to the plan completely, but I'll definitely incorporate some of the ideas into my process.

Here's the information and cover from the website:


About the book:
What Can You Accomplish in 30 Days? If you were determined to make the time, if you could put away all of your excuses just for a month, could you write a book? With a structured plan and a focused goal, yes, you can!

Using a combination of flexible weekly schedules, focused instruction, and detailed worksheets, author Victoria Schmidt leads you through a proven 30-day novel-writing system without the intimidation factor. Book in a Month shows you how to:

Set realistic goals and monitor your progress; manage your time so that your writing life has room to flourish; select a story topic that will continue to inspire you throughout the writing process; quickly outline your entire story so that you have a clear idea of how your plot and characters are going to develop before you start writing; draft each act of your story by focusing on specific turning points; keep track of the areas you want to revise without losing your momentum in the middle your story; and relax and have fun-you are, after all, doing something you love! So what are you waiting for? If you've been putting off your book project, Book in a Month is a fun and useful way to gain momentum once again. All you have to do is start writing!


So what about you guys? Liza - what great book are you reading this week? Silver, Lu, Janet - do you guys have a favorite writing book?

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

7 comments:

Luanna Stewart said...

I can't say it's my favorite, since I haven't read them all - yet LOL. But I'm currently re-reading "Self-editing for fiction writers" by Browne and King. Lots of juicy little nuggets in there.

Our local chapter is hosting it's annual retreat this weekend, starting today. I'm sure to have a great weekend being surrounded by all those writers!!

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend!
Lu

mslizalou said...

I'm reading Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks. It is the second in her Love at Stake series and is older, but I only found her books late last year and I'm playing catch-up. Very funny and sexy paranormal.

Silver James said...

Ooh, Liza! I'll have to check Sparks out. I keep seeing her books but haven't ever picked one up.

I've been raving about Leslie Parrish's FADE TO BLACK. Loved it, on the fiction side. Writing side, Todd A. Stone's NOVELIST'S BOOT CAMP: 101 Ways to Take Your Novel From Boring to Best Seller. Still working my way through it but I'm picking up some tips. I also have Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD on my radar.

Lu, enjoy the retreat! Liza, Alannah and everyone else, have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

I knew someone was reading Fade to Black, but I couldn't remember who it was. I don't typically like anything scary or too graphic - can I handle it, Silver? I really want to read it, because I love Leslie's work, I'm just afraid I won't be able to sleep! LOL

I'm getting more and more into paranormal these days, I'll have to put Sparks on my watch list too. Thanks, Liza.

Lu, I hope you have a fantastic time at your retreat and I can't wait to hear all about it. I'm assuming I won't "see" you again until Sunday night or Monday so have a fabulous weekend!

I hope everyone else has a great weekend too!

Silver James said...

I don't know, Alannah. There was a scene involving a dog that was chilling and while she didn't too graphically describe the murders...Well, I just don't know. You might give it a try when it comes out and if you can't handle it, put it down. It is dark. Very dark. But there is an overriding love story and a HEA so.... *shrug* Not sure how to advise you.

Leslie sent an ARC of the second book, PITCH BLACK, to me and it's next on my list to read, once I get some writing done. I got lost in the first one and couldn't put it down at the end so I got behind. LOL

Unknown said...

Oh man... I'm really afraid I won't be able to deal with it. LOL But I'll probably buy it anyway, just to support Leslie.

Let me know what you think of the second one when you've finished it. Maybe if it isn't quite so dark I'll skip the first one! LOL

Janet said...

I'm late - always late.

Bird by Bird - Anne Lamont. Excellent book about writing (especially the 'Shitty First Draft'). She has a wicked sense of humor and I actually laughed out loud more than once.

Hope your retreat was great, Lu.