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Beth Morris's avatar

The four books on craft/writing/creativity I have on my writing desk at all times (within actual arm's reach as I'm writing this) are: Bird by Bird, On Writing, Big Magic, and Before and After the Book Deal. I've read every page of all 4 of these, and am comforted having them nearby as resources/points of inspiration. Bird by Bird reminds me to JUST WRITE - shitty first drafts and all. On Writing reminds me to treat reading as my job, as much as I do writing, and to treat my office/writing desk time with the devotion and discipline it deserves. Big Magic is a book I encourage anyone to read who feels like they need permission or validation for making creative work (or creative play) a priority in their life. It is a beautiful celebration of art in all forms, and the 'x factor' of fulfillment it brings that can never be matched by a byline or big paycheck. Before and After the Book Deal taught me so, so much. My copy is just a patchwork of colorful underlines.... SO MANY underlines. Courtney, your guidebook is an absolute treasure trove of practical insight on the industry. I'm SO much more informed and equipped to pursue publishing with realistic expectations because of it.

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Courtney Maum's avatar

Thank you! That is very meaningful to me, I'm grateful.

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Emma Hudelson's avatar

I want to add Renée Branum's DEFENESTRATE to the list of novels-in-vignettes that are non-crazy making. It's stunning. https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/defenestrate-9781635577396/

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Courtney Maum's avatar

Oooh! Haven't read, thank you!

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Mary B Hansen's avatar

I feel relieved to know not everyone absolutely loves craft books. I dip in and out of some writers writing about writing, but it can fall flat when I am not working on something in the same genre. Thanks for posting!

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Dana Leigh Lyons's avatar

Thank you so much for this, Courtney. And it just goes to show. I *assumed* that you had an MFA. Sitting here on the outskirts of what I imagine is an exclusive Real Writers Club that I should have signed up for long ago but didn’t, I often feel the pull towards more so-called formal, higher education. I already have an MA and DTCM in whole other fields (plus a whack of debt to go with it). More “formal,” “higher” education isn’t my answer and neither, likely, are craft books. Probably, there is no answer. I just need to keep reading and writing. Again, thank you. Your words and shares are a lantern on this path!

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Courtney Maum's avatar

Totally! The answer is reading and writing and slowly making your way into the literary community: best ways to do that are to have a subscription to a literary magazine or two; attend readings in person if you can, virtually if not; buy books at Indies and attend book launches at Indies; go to the major writing conferences like AWP if you can afford it; and also save for short writing workshops in the summer (I've done Wesleyan, Breadloaf and Tin House and had excellent experiences at those.) Reach out to writers whose work you love and just let them know what it means to you. Leave positive reviews of the books you read on Goodreads and/or Amazon. You'll get there. I had ZERO literary friends when I started. So this is what I did: https://tinhouse.com/six-ways-a-reading-series-can-improve-your-writing/

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Dana Leigh Lyons's avatar

Oh, thank you for this! Those sound like perfect next right steps, and I adore Tin House.

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Michelle Béland's avatar

Thank you for including recommendations for vignettes. This is exactly what I need for my current project. I also turn to screenwriting books for help, especially The Anatomy of Story.

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Courtney Maum's avatar

I LOVE the vignette structure but it takes an extra special something to make it work. (Two timelines and a plot, I think!)

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Michelle Béland's avatar

Thanks! Plot, I have. As for the two timelines, I guess I'll have to read Goodbye, Vitamin and Dept. of Speculation to figure some stuff out :)

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Charlotte Dune's avatar

Also what is the experimental zoom about? Is it for writing experimental fiction?

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Courtney Maum's avatar

So I don't actually know what she has planned-- knowing her a little I imagine it will be a roving, sensual and deeply funny conversation about all sorts of different things!

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Charlotte Dune's avatar

I also like screenwriting books. Save the Cat for screenwriting, the original, really got me started with writing, and Stephen King’s memoir.

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Beth Morris's avatar

Someone just recommended Save the Cat to me! LOVE Stephen King's On Writing. <3

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Laura McKowen's avatar

This is so helpful Courtney!

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Courtney Maum's avatar

Oh good! I was worried I was going to hurt feelings. I hope not!

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Laura McKowen's avatar

No. I didn’t have a formal writing / English education of any kind and so I often wonder how much craft books would weigh into that. And I’ve felt personally like I learn the most from reading but I wasn’t sure if this meant I was just lazy 😆. The lists are super helpful.

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