Four Handy-Dandy Books

These are some of my favorite books I use as a writer.

1) The Random House Rhyming Dictionary (pocket size):
Because I like to write fun poetry for my blog and a particular children’s magazine, this little book comes in mighty handy when I hit a mental road block.  Speaking of rhyming, visit http://www.rhymezone.com    Very helpful when you’re looking for that perfect rhyme word.

2) Writing for Children & Teenagers by Lee Wyndham:
I’ve read this book many times yet I continue to turn to my folded  pages and highlighted paragraphs. Lee’s book is packed with information on writing for the young child to the teenager. She taught for 13 years at New York University. Boy, I wish I’d been in the front row!

3) The Everything Grammar and Style Book 2nd Edition by Susan Thurman: This book is user friendly which is something I appreciate when it comes to grammar! I should use this book more often. (o;

4) How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters by John Wood:  You’ve GOT to read  page 150 (The Ideal Cover Letter). Need I say more?

Sheryl

A Real Gem

There are many helpful how-to books for writers on different aspects of writing,, and our own Nancy Sanders’ newest effort is sure to be a classic in the field.  I have used many books on writing over the years, depending on the information and advice I needed at a particular time.  But a book that has helped me tremendously is not a how-to. It’s the Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus.

When I first started writing, I relied on the classic Roget’s Thesaurus.  However, the way it is set up made it somewhat difficult for me to understand and navigate.  Finding what I wanted wasn’t always easy or quick.  A number of years later I found The Synonym Finder, publ. by Rodale Press (in the old Fedco, of all places!)  Arranged in alphabetical order, it was a big improvement.  But when I discovered the Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus (Oxford University Press), through a book club, I found a real gem.  It soon became the only book of this type that I use.

Besides having a much wider variety of words, this volume also provides antonyms and often gives the origins of words.  In addition, it tells how words are misused, how similar words are often confused, and provides lists of words that are almost the same as the one I’m looking for.  I especially enjoy the tidbits about the different meanings words have acquired and how the context and meaning of words change over time.

I find all of the above not only tremendously interesting and helpful, but this book has also enriched my writing in many different ways.  I turn to it often and always open it was delicious anticipation of what I’ll discover.  I recommend it highly.

Marjorie Flathers

Books That Inspire

My library shelves are bulging with books, some of which are specifically on writing, and others that simply inspire me. I often think I should weed some of them out — get rid of those I seldom refer to. Then I remember that one of these had some words of wisdom in chapter 2, another in the introduction, stlll another in a sidebar. I sigh and decide to keep them all — just in case.

But there are a few that I use consistently, turning the pages and underlining until the paper threatens to give way. Let’s start with The Bible. I admit to pulling verses out of context, but that’s the way they speak to me. Suddenly, and with power, a phrase seems to leap off the page and touch my heart. Here are a few favorites:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43: 19-10)

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their stength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40: 31)

What wondrous words to lift writers up and give them the vision to keep going!

Another book I keep close at hand is Caesar Johnson’s collection of quotations called To See a World in a Grain of Sand. I have often stood on a beach and sifted grains of sand through my fingers, remembering those beautiful words of William Blake:     To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wildflower: hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.

In his little book, Matthew Arnold reminds me that Life is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming. And when I’m having trouble writing a scene, Epictetus tells me that It is difficulties that show what men are. At the end of a long working day, I take comfort in Victor Hugo’s words: go to sleep in peace. God is awake.

Eudora Welty was one of America’s finest short story writers. In her lifetime, she received almost every honor given to writers, including the Pulitzer! She wrote a little book called, quite simply, On Writing. It is only 106 pages long, but it is packed full of wisdom. This was originally part of a larger work called The Eye of the Story, but is now considered an important handbook in its own right.

Whenever I need to find support for my own belief in the power of setting — of place — in fiction, I turn to Chapter Three and read “Fiction depends for its life on place . . .” and I am vindicated. Eudora and I are kindred spirits! She laughingly tells the story of how the great literary critic Herschel Brickell told her she had misplaced the moon in a story. She claims it wasn’t until that moment that she realized it rose in the east, not in the west. It was a great lesson in the importance of getting the details of setting right.

In our next session, I’ll tell you about some more books, but for now I’ll just say: Don’t throw away any of your books on writing — you might find a hidden gem in one of them. And, by all means, always put the moon in the right place in the sky!

 Submitted by Marilyn  Donahue

 

 

What’s In a Name

As we begin our new topic for May on our favorite books we use as writers, I couldn’t help but think of a little thin paperback that I have found indispensible when writing middle grade stories. The book is entitled What’s Your Name? A Guide to First Names and What They Mean. It was compiled by Beth Goodman and Nancy E. Krulik, and it was published by Scholastic.

In certain stories I write I give careful thought when looking for a character’s name. I like to have the name represent who this person is or who she/he will become. Most people won’t give the name a second thought, but I want the curious reader to see that there was some planning behind my stories. I sometimes use this technique when looking for surnames, too.

There are many other books that you can use to look for great names, but this is my favorite because it is compact and it was cheap. I bought it at a thrift store for under 50 cents.

Contributed by Catherine L. Osornio

An Illustrator’s Best Friend

One of the most important books for an illustrator is her sketchbook. It is a great place to put down all the wonderful ideas for her next children’s book adventure. A sketchbook is a place where characters are born. It’s the place where the details of a character start to emerge.

As a writer I’ve learned that a character is defined by what she does. If that’s the case, then how she looks plays supportive role. Gestures, expressions, and costume are elements that support the story, and a sketchbook is a great place to explore the possibilities.

Happy doodles!

Contributed by Veronica Walsh, children’s book illustrator