Writing can be a joy. It can also pull writers into a spiral of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. It’s important to find some books that can encourage you in your writing journey. Here are some books that I’ve read over the years that I’d love to share with you. In no particular order. May you be inspired by these encouraging reads. Keep writing!
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
On Writing shows up all over the place. And for good reason. King includes advice for writers, and give examples from his own life. Some of my takeaways from this book are
- construct your own tool box, and use it. Every writer has different strengthens and weaknesses, and not every piece of advice works for every writers. Use what works for you!
- Read lots. And write lots. Read to be inspired. Write to learn your craft.
- Writing is magic.
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
The Artist’s Way shows up on writing lists all the time. And I heard about it from a writer friend. Have you heard the term “morning pages”? That’s from Cameron’s book! Some of the highlights for me in this book are about creating a habit that is meaningful and grounded. She writes that it is safe to open yourself up to creativity, and to stop telling yourself that creativity is a luxury. She asks writers to go on a 12-week journey to reclaim Safety, Identity, Power, Integrity, Possibility, Abundance, Connection, Strength, Compassion, Self-protection, Autonomy, and Faith. An excellent and encouraging tool to get back the spark and the joy in writing.
Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon
Keep Going nails it: Creative work is hard. Take it one day at a time. I love his idea to build a bliss station. But the moment that stood out the most was his thought that creative is not a noun–creativity is a tool not a title. So, practice for practice’s sake. Make gifts. And know that you are allowed to change along the way. And I think most important of all, plant your garden. Creativity happens in seasons, so stay encouraged and keep going.
Embrace your Weird: Face your fears and Unleash Creativity by Felicia Day
Embrace Your Weird is all about embracing self-expression. And as writers, that means letting go of the inner critic, editor and censor on first draft. I like that she reminds readers that we understand ourselves better when we create. She encourages her readers to focus on the process, not the result. Find mentors and friends to grow with. Create habits. Start with joy. That idea to start with joy is something I think writers need as a posit-it note on their computers!
Light the Dark: Writers on Creativity, Inspiration, and the Artistic Process edited by Joe Fassler
Light the Dark is a collection of thoughts by 46 writers. In the introduction/foreword, Fassler writes that the power of imagination breaks down barriers. I love that! Here are a few stand-out moments for me from this collection:
- Aimiee Bender: Words can be nourishing … embrace mystery.
- Sherman Alexie: Writing has power.
- Amy Tan: Life is exploration.
- Katheryn Harrison: Allow the subconscious space.
- Roxane Gay: Writing is vulnerable. You tell a story that both is and isn’t your voice.
- Emma Donoghue: Write for the bliss of writing.
Refuse to be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts by Matt Bell
Refuse to be Done is a book about revision, yet it’s also encouraging! He writes that there’s as much to be gained by actively opposing a craft lesson as there is in following it. Yes! As a writer, find the way that works best for you. Try different ways of writing, revising, and editing. My favourite idea that he shares is this: Celebrate along the way!
The Faith of a Writer: Life, Craft, Art by Joyce Carol Oates
The Faith of a Writer, like On Writing by Stephen King, is a glimpse into the life of a skilled writer. Joyce Carol Oates talks about her own experiences. She encourages writers to write your heart out, and never be ashamed of your subject or your passion. Yes! Art originates in play and is fueled by rebellion. And she includes a helpful distinction that self-criticism is different from self-doubt.
This Year you Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley
This Year You Write Your Novel is part inspirational, part instructional. He provides some helpful advice on how to finish a novel in one year. My biggest takeaway from this book was to be okay with personal satisfaction in writing a novel. Yes! Celebrate and make time to do this important work.
Air & Light & Time & Space: How Successful Academics Write by Helen Sword
Air & Light & Time & Space isn’t just for academics. Don’t let the title fool you. Similar to Artist’s Way, this book is all about how to recognize and build a writing life that is specific to you. Sword writes about four different areas to explore in your writing life: Behavioural habits, artisanal habits, social habits, and emotional habits. She walks through how different writers find success, and encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and habits.
- Behavioural: Time, place, rituals.
- Artisnal: Learning, crafting. Dare to grow–have an open mindset.
- Social: Writing for others, with others, among others.
- Emotional: Doubt vs. confidence, the pleasure principle, risk & resilience.
Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Art & Fear shows up in art communities all the time. You won’t find the word creative in this book, and I’ll let you read it to learn why. But some of the moments that stayed with me from the book are all around the process of art, and developing as an artist with intention.
- Find nourishment within the work itself.
- Accept yourself (personal art) and follow your voice (distinctive art).
- Flaws and weaknesses can be a source of strength.
- The process and the experience is most important: learn to make by making.
- Develop an imagination of possibility.
- Art is responsive: enjoy the process.
- Style is the natural consequence of habit.
As an editor, I love encouraging writers to keep going, to celebrate along the way, and to learn from the process. If you need encouragement, or a reminder about why you are spending your time creating, check out some of these books. I hope that they inspire and encourage you in your own personal writing journey.
Happy writing!
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