Author Shout Out

On The Book Shelf: Writing Craft Books

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This month I’ve decided to share the writing craft books that have changed the way I write and think about the whole process. So it’s a multiple author shout out.

I have read a ton of books related to the process of writing, from generating ideas, to character development, plot outlines and a premise – to editing, rewriting, polishing and publishing. Honestly, I could have filled a small room with them.

Though I can’t say that any particular book, advice or sage words changed my life considerably, I have taken bits and pieces from them and developed my own style. It’s an individual thing, this writing lark, there isn’t just one size fits all. So these are my top four favourite of all time which I would definitely save from fire or flood if need be.

The Morning Pages, by Julia Cameron has to come top of my list. I recommended this book in my tool box last month and wrote a post here about my reasons for using Morning Pages. I refer to this system many times as it’s my kind of daily mantra. Before I do anything else, I pick up a pen and journal and just let spill forth. It could be about writing, or life or whatever is bugging me at that moment. It sets up my day.

 

 

How to Write a Novel using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson. I’ve read everything there is out there on plot, and this one just clicks with me. Randy uses a very familiar fairy tale, well a mix of them, to demonstrate the steps required to build a story. And, for me, it works every time. I wrote post earlier in the year about using this method…

 

 

 

 

From 2k to 10k Words by Rachel Aaron. Again, this is not a book which shares any hidden secrets on the world of writing. There isn’t a hidden formula, it’s down to the writer to make it happen and the advice here does what it says on the can. What more can I say? I called Rachel out in an earlier post and I think she deserves another shout …

 

 

Writing a Novel in Scrivener by David Hewson. Scrivener is my favourite piece of software. I probably still don’t know more that a quarter of its capabilities but this book is a great start. It provides a place for everything, characters, places, scenes and allows you to move things around easily. I kind of use it like my story bible, along with my paper one of course! Just in case. 😉 and I’ve made a note to write more about my top reasons for using Scrivener so watch this space…

 

 

What books have your read which have had an impact on your writing? Always ready to add others to my shelf so please let me know!

Author Shout Out:

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So this month I’m going to shout out a writer friend who was the first person to join my virtual writing group when I set it up some 10 years or so ago…

Nina Croft (or Nicola Cleasby as I know it) has been writing for some time. Like me, she lives in an isolated place far away from any other writers, or English speaking folk… She is a prolific writer and since I’ve known has published, both traditionally and self published, a ton of books. Nina is one of the most committed writers I know and she can write quickly which means that she always has something new on the go.

Nina writes romantic based stories in several genres, Contemporary, Paranormal and Science Fiction based publications.

The first book I read was The Descartes Legacy the first of her Science Fiction work which had me captured from the start. The main characters, Jenna and Lucas, drew me into their very different worlds and the suspense heightens through their individual stories as they realise they need each other more and more. It’s a story about revenge, romance and finding the truth, however hard. It wasn’t difficult entering the world Nina had created, it was both believable and well developed yet at the same time familiar.

Nina writes a lot of series within each genre category. Her books leave you with a sense of wanting more so you are never disappointed! I have a lot to catch up on, which I’ve added to by TBR list…

As a member of an online writing group, I’ve only known Nina through the ether, she lives in Spain and I live in Italy. However, in 2017 we managed to meet up when we were on a trip in the van, along with a few other ‘virtual writer friends’ along the way, some of whom may very well feature here at some point. It was lovely to meet her face-to-face and as if we’d known each other all our lives.

Writers Abroad is an online writing group for expat (or those that have been expat) writers who find it difficult to access support from more traditional groups.

 

Author Shout Out: J.F.Penn

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This month I’m choosing a very successful author, both fiction and non fiction. J.F. Penn, also known as Joanna Penn is well known in the world of authors and readers.

I first got to know about Joanna’s fiction when my husband recommended reading the London Crime Thrillers. All three of these books have a hint of supernatural but set in the world we know. The balance made between fact and fantasy is very subtle and well handled. And, like many books that take my eye, the strong characters, in this case Detective Sergeant Jamie Blake and her unlikely sidekick Blake Daniel, a psychic, drew me into the story telling.

I then moved onto her Arkane Thriller series about a psychologist and government agent, again laced with the supernatural. Stone of Fire is the first in this collection and there are five more to lose myself in. The writing is fast paced, packed with intrigue and mystery and for me, addictive.

And I’ve just recently read her first book, The Map of Shadows, which is a fascinating dark fantasy with all the virtues of her other books with a little bit of romance thrown in. And, there will be more of the Map series… so no worries about running out of her stories to read!

On her website you will find articles about some of the places and items that have fueled her writing, and spends a lot of time and effort researching the places she writes about. This additional, personal insight into her writing process provides another level of intrigue to enjoy.

However, Joanna has another arrow for her already successful bow as she is highly regarded as a non-fiction author provided advice about self publishing and the writing process in general. You can find all manner of information on her blog, The Creative Penn.

Joanna is very successful and for me, a talented role model who shows that with hard work and determination – not to mention great writing – are the key skills for indie writers in the world of self publishing.

 

Author Shout Out: Rachel Aaron

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So this month’s author featuring in my shout out is… Rachel Aaron.

I was first introduced to Rachel Aaron through one of her non-fiction books and I can honestly say it changed my approach to writing.

 

Her book 2,000 to 10,000 is a practical guide about increasing your word count. She identifies three important areas to think about, knowledge, time and enthusiasm and it’s these three points which are critical if you want to hit that target. Knowing what you are going to write, finding the time to write and understanding your best time to write. It’s a gold mine for planners and pansters alike, I dare you not to succeed if you follow the steps that Rachel outlines.

Just recently I’ve turned my writing eye to Rachel’s fiction books and have just finished the first book in her series the Legend of Eli Moonpress and read the Spirit Thief. It was a great read and her debut novel and she delivers it all through her main character, a cheeky thief called… Eli Moonpress. I was captivated from the start by his antics, it’s an honest to good read about someone who does naughty things but with great finesse and humour. I’ll definitely be reading more of this series. Rachel is writing another series, an urban fantasy about misfit dragons which sounds like fun too…