The Writer’s New Shelf

 

              In the Aug. 19^th edition of the Six Rural Writers’ Newsletter, I wrote an article entitled “A Writer’s Shelf.” In the article, I told about taking inventory of my writing related books, both on the oak bookshelves and on my Kindle & Kindle Fire, and said I would post those books on our blog. This week’s post includes only the books on my Kindles and in the “cloud.” I’ll post more books next week.

Writing Fiction for All You’re Worth by James Scott Bell 

(Mr. Bell is one of my particularly favorite authors of writing books and articles. He is entertaining as well as educational, and his enthusiasm for writing comes through. I also enjoy the fiction he writes.)

Getting the Words Right by Theodore A Rees Cheney   

(This is a great book on revision. Enjoyable to read and useful when you are in the throes of agony and want to throw out the first draft. His guidance will ease the pain.)

Write That Book already! : The Tough Love You Need to Get Published Now

by Sam Barry & Kathi Kamen Goldmark - aka: the Author Enablers - editors of this collection of helps from some of today’s top writers                                          (The title caught me…and I’m glad.)

Write Poetry Now by  Robert Lee Brewer             

(I subscribe to his blog, and have enjoyed him immensely. He writes the “Poetic Asides” column for Writer’s Digest and is the editor of the current, and past years, Poet’s Market )

The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing: Everything you need to know about creating & selling your work by the editors of Writer’s Digest

New Oxford Dictionary – 2^nd edition                        (Of course, I have a dictionary on here!)

A Writer’s Book of Days by Judy Reeves               

(One thing I appreciate about Amazon is the fact that I can download a sample to read, then purchase the book later if I like it. From the preview, I will buy this book.)

Creating Characters by Howard Lauther                                   (Downloaded the sample on my Kindle)

The Giant Book of Poetry - edited by William H. Roetzheim         

(It not only inspires my poetic bent, but other parts of my writing)

Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nin Sankovitch                 

(The author’s year of reading a book a day, and has a complete list of the books she read)

Holy Bible: NASB                              

(not just for the soul, but also for the wonderful literature, beautiful poetry, riveting stories, and the moral compass we need for God to guide us)

      As you can imagine, carrying these books around would be rather cumbersome, so being able to have the inspiration, information, and the “get to it”prompting in a traveling form is a great boon to the writer. I hope this gives you a few ideas for your own library and, if you don’t already have an e-reader, helps you decide on whether one would be beneficial to you.

Happy reading…and writing!

Jerolyn Lockhart

 

Pick a Poem – Any Poem

It’s National Poetry Month!

                Wandering around my favorite book store, I found a special display of poetry books, and noticed the newest book out from one of my favorite poets, Billy Collins. I was about to pick up his “Horoscopes for the Dead” and escape to the check out, when I saw another book from poet Mary Oliver - “Swan - Poems and Prose Poems”. I have read and enjoyed her work before, but did not have one of her books in my collection, so I snatched it up and happily paid for my treasures. Happiness is a new book (or two) of poetry.

                I am enthralled with the simple beauty of the poems in Oliver’s book, the quiet quality of the words she chooses to paint her life and the world around her. And as for Mr. Collins’ work, well, he sparks the imagination and makes me smile. And don’t we all need that? Beauty, thoughtful reflections, a bit of amusement in the midst of amazement; it’s a wonderful world of poetry.

                So, dear readers, in celebration of National Poetry Month, I want you to go out and buy yourself a book, pen yourself a poem, or carry a poem in your pocket on April 26^th for national Poem-in-Your-Pocket Day. And to help you out, let me make a few suggestions on where to start. 

·         Go to your local library and browse the poetry section. Pick something up and start reading

·         Go to your local book store and support a starving poet – buy a book

·         Check out poems on the internet at www.poets.org or www.poetryfoundation.org

·         Take part in a Poem-a-Day Challenge - there are several online, or start your own

·         Carry a copy of your favorite poem on April 26^th. Make several copies and pass them along!

·         Write a poem. Make it silly or serious, rhyming or non, but have fun with it.

Most beautiful day

            Pen in hand as haiku waits

Sun smiles on paper

Jerolyn Lockhart

               

A Writer’s Bookshelf

Title: Word Magic for Writers

Author: Cindy Rogers

Publisher: Writers Institute Publishers

Date: 2004     272 pages   $19.95

www.writersbookstore.com

Mark Twain said: “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

Every writer, experienced or just beginning wants to use that “right word.” In Word Magic for Writers, Cindy Rogers will show you how to make your writing better. Easy to read, clearly explained with exercises to practice each language device, the book is both instructive and delightful.

Like a baker “who knows the importance of ingredients and how to 

use them,” writers need to know their “ingredients,” i.e., words 

and how to use them in order to produce not only palatable reading,

but the spicy zest, the flavor that takes their books beyond 

good to gourmet.

Chapter titles to pique your interest:

Language Devices from Alliteration to Zeugma

Sound Devices to Tickle A Title and Snap Up A Sentence

Nothing Like A Simile

Excessively Extravagant Exaggeration

Vibrant Words and Vivid Images

Attention Grabbers: Titles and Headlines.

From the familiar tongue twister and simile to synecdoche and 
metonymy, you will be treated to clear explanations and glittering
examples of each language device.

Word Magic for Writers is a resource you need on your bookshelf.

                                                                                                 Pat Zabriskie