Slice of Life: Writing Inspiration 22 of 31

 

It's day 22 of the Slice of Life Challenge. How are you doing? I'm still hanging in there. My biggest challenge seems to be trying to break the two space habit after a period. I know, it's past time. The struggle is real. 

Each year when I participate in the challenge I have three main goals:

1. To write every day (I have done this enough to know that at the end of the month there are stories written that would have been lost --- even if they aren't quite as polished as I might like.)
2. To find mentor posts with interesting craft moves, structures, and/or topics
3. To read a book about writing to try to work toward some improvements and provide some inspiration along the way

This year, I purchased A Writer's Guide to Persistence by Jordan Rosenfeld. At the beginning of the month, I started the challenge be rereading some favorite books about writing, but I decided I wanted to read something new. After reading several posts around the topic of writing books, I selected this one. I have just started to read it and look forward to whatever inspiration it may bring. 

My purchase made me wonder if you have any favorite books about writing. I hope you'll leave them in the comments. Here are three that are at the top of my list:

The Muses Among Us by Kim Stafford:  This one is my absolute favorite. This book probably just came to me at the right time, but it is one I have read and reread. As a matter of fact, I went to find it to share a quote or two and it isn't in its usual spot. This happens with my favorites. It's somewhere around here. 

Crafting a Life in Essay, Story, Poem by Donald M. Murray:  Years ago I became intrigued by the personal essay. I wanted to learn to write one with greater meaning. I was fascinated by the way writers could weave story, craft, and bigger ideas. I turned to Donald Murray with no regrets. I return to this book often to try to improve my essay writing. 

Breathing In, Breathing Out by Ralph Fletcher: This book is one I return to again and again. While focused more on the idea of keeping a notebook, it provides much to consider in the way of finding ideas for writing. "If I want to write movingly, I must first pay attention to what moves me," Fletcher reminds. In this book he discusses the delicate balance between breathing in the world to help breath out story. 

These are three favorites today, but I have a shelf of these books and return to most all of them for one reason or another. I haven't even touched my poetry writing books which are by far my favorite. That's for another day.

I'd love to hear some of your favorites. I hope you'll share them in the comments. 

It's March and I'm diving back into the March Slice of Life Challenge!  Buckle in!  This will be my 8th year joining the community (though I must confess to a two year break).  Yep, some of the writing will be messy.  Honestly, most of it will be messy.  Thanks for stopping by.  I'm excited to dive back into the madness.  Thanks to Two Writing Teachers for hosting.