Sol Stein's Stein on Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

Finished reading the above-noted book about 1:00 a.m. this morning.  Great how-to manual.  Full of wonderful tips and insights. He reduced to words what I was trying to name about what I do, and don't, like while reading novels.

This was the loaner from one of my CPs (Thank you!) and therefore I couldn't indulge in underlining and highlighting someone else's resource material.  I took about fifty pages of notes (front and back, so one hundred sides of handwritten reminders).  I hope to type them up later today and will probably share some highlights with y'all, without "giving it all away."

This is another reference book I want for my home library and just now added to my Amazon Wish List, along with Stein's latest How To Grow a Novel.  He created WritePro software for authors, which I'd be interested in checking out further.

It's drizzling here in the DFW area this morning (began while I was finishing Sol's book), and there is even a frosting of ice dribbled in a path in my backyard.   Good thing I have plenty of To-Do items to keep me inside today.  Have a good week, everyone!

Writing Books I Want to Read

Long ago, and for several years, I had budgeted $30 a month to take online writing classes.  Since that monetary restriction forbids me from taking the more expensive offerings, and I have already participated in many of interest, I am now opting to replace it with a purchase of a book on my craft.

Or to study those unread treasures I already have in my personal library.

I have at least four How-To-Write books I have yet to read--a couple I started so long ago that I've forgotten what I was supposed to have learned.  Therefore, I'll start over at the beginning.  Here's my initial selection for my reading list relative to my writing career:

1.  Sol Stein's Stein on Writing:  A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies (this one is loaned to me and I really need to be getting it back to its rightful owner).

2.  Linda N. Edelstein, Ph.D.'s The Writer's Guide to Character Traits:  Includes Profiles of Human Behaviors and Personality Types.  This particular book may not be one of those things you read from beginning to end, but more of a reference material to consult as we authors deem who is worthy to be our villain, or our hero.  I'll get back with you on that.

3.  Donald Maass's Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook.  I read somewhere that the workbook is good solo, without the need for the companion book.

4.  Brandilyn Collins's Getting Into Character:  Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors.

I cannot yet recommend any of the above personally as I still need to read them.  But they were all deemed worthy in articles or newsletters or blogs or other books or by one of my CPs.

As I actually finish reading them, I'll share some highlights from my notes with you.

Happy reading!