tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post7429214872208195045..comments2023-05-05T11:15:58.903+01:00Comments on Emma Pass • My Blog: Reading About WritingEmma Passhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-87351629996965539952012-03-12T19:05:26.745+00:002012-03-12T19:05:26.745+00:00Thanks, Talli. BIRD BY BIRD is another writing boo...Thanks, Talli. BIRD BY BIRD is another writing book I've heard people praise - I'll have to look out for it. Some great suggestions in these comments!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-71394115633491898302012-03-12T13:37:44.788+00:002012-03-12T13:37:44.788+00:00King's books, along with Ann(e?) Lamott's ...King's books, along with Ann(e?) Lamott's 'Bird by Bird' helped me enormously. Like you, I didn't have the money for courses and relied on resources to help me improve.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-51229484651794335172012-03-09T22:29:01.236+00:002012-03-09T22:29:01.236+00:00Akoss, having a writing book to take you through t...Akoss, having a writing book to take you through the year sounds like a great idea. And I've heard good things about THE FIRE IN FICTION - I'll have to check it out!<br /><br />Elsie, that's exactly what I love about it too! (But then you are my writing twin, so it's no surprise really! :))Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-3543680575921416152012-03-09T22:27:11.091+00:002012-03-09T22:27:11.091+00:00Thank you, Jesse! Great to meet another STORY fan....Thank you, Jesse! Great to meet another STORY fan. :)Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-47232920377648129362012-03-08T21:13:42.657+00:002012-03-08T21:13:42.657+00:00ON WRITING is my favourite, Emma. I just love how ...ON WRITING is my favourite, Emma. I just love how it's somehow both a manual and a novel.Elsie Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07256871951982313181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-46556196123523484132012-03-08T17:25:40.144+00:002012-03-08T17:25:40.144+00:00Every year I pick a writing book to follow me thro...Every year I pick a writing book to follow me through the entire year. I've only started last year so I don't have many. This year I'm reading "The Fire in Fiction" by Donal Maass<br />Out of your list here though, I'm only familiar with the Stephen King's one. I should check out the others just in case :)akosshttp://akossket.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-24886215044547684322012-03-08T08:17:36.282+00:002012-03-08T08:17:36.282+00:00Fab post Emma, I love On Writing - I think it has ...Fab post Emma, I love On Writing - I think it has to be my favourite writing book and Story is invaluable!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-47998714111042569872012-03-07T18:50:16.640+00:002012-03-07T18:50:16.640+00:00Thanks, Abi! :) I guess do sound pretty focussed, ...Thanks, Abi! :) I guess do sound pretty focussed, don't I?! In reality, it's been lots of small steps and dead-ends and muddling along… but these books definitely helped on the many, many occasions when I didn't know what to do next (and still do!).Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-40813275576030286082012-03-07T18:47:37.970+00:002012-03-07T18:47:37.970+00:00I've always loved writing books too, Jenny. It...I've always loved writing books too, Jenny. It's always fascinating to read about something I'm so obsessed with myself!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-7304316888524231002012-03-07T18:18:19.291+00:002012-03-07T18:18:19.291+00:00What a lovely list Emma. I really admire your focu...What a lovely list Emma. I really admire your focussed attitude and approach to continually wanting to improve. As for my slap dash methods, the only writing book I have ever read was one you lent me (aren't I bad?) But, I do find myself completely inspired by other writers' work and often go away and think about how they achieved what they did, what devices they harnessed, what makes their work so appealing. I think this is where I really learn from other writers.Abi Burlinghamhttp://www.abiburlingham.talktalk.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-60198092405116663412012-03-07T17:31:13.270+00:002012-03-07T17:31:13.270+00:00Ooh... I love books on writing, and I haven't ...Ooh... I love books on writing, and I haven't read some of these. Just read Brenda Ueland, 'If you want to write', which was in the Dorothea Brande school and era - good on writing, but such a shame someone didn't edit out the one or two instances of casual racism which make it less likable for the modern reader.Jenny Alexanderhttp://jenalexanderbooks.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-12944576347078884772012-03-07T14:13:28.646+00:002012-03-07T14:13:28.646+00:00Thank you, Julia! Your suggestions sound great too...Thank you, Julia! Your suggestions sound great too, especially the essay by Ann Patchett. I'll have to check it out.Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-52317733998451313232012-03-07T13:02:59.000+00:002012-03-07T13:02:59.000+00:00Thanks for the craft book suggestions -- I've ...Thanks for the craft book suggestions -- I've read the King book only of the ones you mentioned. I've also learned along the way, with a few of my favorites being "Writing Fiction, A Guide to the Narrative Craft" Ed. by Janet Burroway; The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson; and I just recently read an essay by Ann Patchett that I really loved called "The Getaway Car." So good! Great post, Emma!Julia Munroe Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09798422149542791454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-12799536278081075472012-03-07T11:03:54.485+00:002012-03-07T11:03:54.485+00:00It's fascinating, Gem. I think anyone would en...It's fascinating, Gem. I think anyone would enjoy it, writer or not (I mean, it's Stephen King!!).Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-10823433006442237562012-03-07T11:03:20.858+00:002012-03-07T11:03:20.858+00:00You're right, Dan - reading loads of fiction i...You're right, Dan - reading loads of fiction is definitely the best way to learn about writing and storytelling. I was struggling to decode the fiction I read, though, and books like STORY helped me to understand *why* those plots were working when mine weren't.Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-60138693311923011882012-03-07T10:03:54.260+00:002012-03-07T10:03:54.260+00:00I also loved King as a teen, not read much recentl...I also loved King as a teen, not read much recently but that book sounds very interesting, I must get a copy to look through, not that I think i will ever become a writer (apart from blog stuff) but you never know.Gem - BeeReaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07786660302947512374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-59941116180728029672012-03-07T09:27:46.071+00:002012-03-07T09:27:46.071+00:00The only one of these I've read is On Writing ...The only one of these I've read is On Writing - which is an excellent book. Stephen King has such an engaging voice, it's very easy to get along with him. I've never really thought of turning to a text book for help with writing, though. I've always thought that reading a lot of fiction gives a good enough insight into how story works and although I might feel tempted by your reccommendation of the McKee book, I'd be slightly worried that it might tempt me to change the way I write . . . although some people might not think that's a bad thing!Dan Smithhttp://www.dansmithsbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-12023800507900857852012-03-07T09:12:20.743+00:002012-03-07T09:12:20.743+00:00Brilliant choices, Laura! I didn't include any...Brilliant choices, Laura! I didn't include any fiction titles because this post would have been about a million words long, but you learn just as much, if not more, from reading great novels.Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-86380601687925637152012-03-07T09:05:10.184+00:002012-03-07T09:05:10.184+00:00Hi Emma
I think I may have to investigate your rec...Hi Emma<br />I think I may have to investigate your recommendations.<br />Bram Stoker's Dracula was one of the first books that inspired me to write. I say this because I remember thinking what a lovely rhythm two particular lines had and I went on to write a poem based on them called The Patient. I entered it into the Hastings Poetry Festival (I didn't live there) and it was highly commended. It was the first time I had submitted anything to competition. I still have the poem and the book.<br />The Only Way Is Up, Carole Matthews, will remain special to me. The first chapter clearly demonstrates how to write a great opening chapter and how to maintain pace. I still refer to this when writing my first chapters.<br />My 'proper' reference book is Sue Moorcroft's Love Writing, which is not only informative, but full of humour, which makes learning a joy.<br />Laura xLaura E. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03527201258843349722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-65845455270468757512012-03-07T09:04:30.524+00:002012-03-07T09:04:30.524+00:00You're welcome, Jo. And definitely don't b...You're welcome, Jo. And definitely don't be put off by the screenwriting label - it is a seriously amazing book!<br /><br />I've heard good things about Dorothea Brande's book - I must try it!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-36249254756822327602012-03-07T09:02:27.714+00:002012-03-07T09:02:27.714+00:00It's a greeat read, Viv. Hope you enjoy it!It's a greeat read, Viv. Hope you enjoy it!Emma Passhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209194238119830841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-13516527272957536932012-03-07T08:57:21.768+00:002012-03-07T08:57:21.768+00:00Thanks foe these - I've seen the McKee book an...Thanks foe these - I've seen the McKee book and been put off by the screenwriting label. Must try it.<br /><br />I still refer to Dorothea Brande 'Becoming a Wrtier,' David Lodge 'The Art of Fiction', and James Wood 'How Fiction Works.'<br /><br />I agree that there is no 'one' right way to tackle writing, but books can help you to tease out what might be holding you back.JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169809609802357406.post-24472649976325888572012-03-07T08:56:25.869+00:002012-03-07T08:56:25.869+00:00Ooh I haven't read any of these. I must get ho...Ooh I haven't read any of these. I must get hold of the Stephen King one, I keep meaning to read it.serendipity_vivhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07156013023056026525noreply@blogger.com