Craft of Writing books worthy of attention

    I've picked up a couple of interesting books lately.  I'd like to tell 
you about a few of the books about writing that I've found over the last 
couple of months.
    First, from someone many of you have probably read (I think).
    _Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life_ by Terry Brooks
    Terry Brooks mixes advice about fiction writing with reminiscences and 
anecdotes about his personal experience in publishing.  I didn't realize 
he's published 19 books.  In fact, I always considered his biggie _ The 
Sword of Shannara_ to be a Tolkien pastiche.  I could never get past the 
first fifteen pages (I wasn't hooked.)
    Anyway, though, like John Grisham, he was middle-aged when he gave up 
his law practice to write full time.  "If I don't write, I become restless 
and ill-tempered," he says, proof that the creative drive comes along with 
the artistic temperament.  He says he takes inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien 
and received constant encouragement from publisher Lester del Rey.  "What 
he had given me was the kind of education young writers can only dream 
about."  (Grump.  See, that doesn't happen much any more--and when writers 
are discouraged all the time instead, they go downhill.)
    The magic worked for him, for sure.  "If you don't think there is magic 
in writing, you probably won't write anything magical," he says.  To his 
credit, he views his success as a miracle.  (Some of us get health 
miracles, others financial and social-positioning, I suppose.)
    Some of his advice is specific and useful; he devotes an entire chapter 
to the importance of outlining.  (Unlike most of us here, especially Pat 
Wrede, he doesn't really admit that there are a thousand ways to construct 
tribal lays, and that however YOU work is the way you're supposed to 
work.  Be warned.  And don't change your own style unless it needs 
changing.)  He also offers (horrors) ten rules for writing.  But you've 
heard of them all before:  "Write What You Know" to "Don't Bore The 
Reader."  He gives examples and writing exercises.  It's also all a bit 
self-indulgent (especially the stuff about his grandson--for goodness' 
sake, lots of people have grandchildren, so get over the fascination, I 
say), if not self-serving.  But it's apparent that he enjoys writing and 
loves doing it.
    Like me, he sees a writer as the bystander, the observer, the 
ever-watching person who just records and interprets instead of always 
participating, not in the middle of the circle, but at the fringes, taking 
down what is REALLY happening.  Writers can seem detached or even removed 
from reality; all writers, even non-fantastical fictioneers, must step 
outside the flow of the world and live outside the moment (man, that 
describes me, hardly ever "being" in the present moment--that's one reason 
I gave my latest ChickLit heroine a goal to be there and made Camille one 
of those who just likes to "be" in the present moment.)
   It's not a bad book, if you enjoy memoir and especially if you like his 
work and would like some insight on Brooks and his methods.
& * ( & * ( *& ( * & * ( & * ( *& ( * & * ( & * ( *& ( * & * ( & * ( *& ( *
The Modern Library Writer's Workshop: A Guide to the Craft of Fiction
by Stephen Koch
    "Make [your] characters want something right away, even if it's only a 
glass of water. Characters paralyzed by the meaninglessness of modern life 
still have to drink water from time to time." --Kurt Vonnegut
    This book interested me because Koch quotes the thoughts on writing of 
such varied writers as Anthony Trollope, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and 
Stephen King.  Toni Morrison had to balance work and writing; Ray Bradbury 
writes six or seven drafts of each of his stories.  Some of this has to 
make you feel better.
    But it's not just a collection of quotations, like some books.  Who is 
this guy?  He taught at Columbia in the writing program.  From the moment 
of inspiration (keep a notebook with you at all times) to writing a first 
draft (do it quickly; you can always revise later) and figuring out a plot 
(plot always serves the story, not vice versa--and they're distinct, not 
the same), he advises you like a benevolent mentor, like your favorite high 
school teacher.
    The book covers what he sees as the stages of the writing process and 
what happens during each stage.  Like the best teachers, sometimes he 
quotes several writers whose advice conflicts, leaving it to you to 
decide.  He says Hemingway isn't the way people say he is, and even gives a 
warning about the too-strict interpretation and application of rules found 
in the revered Strunk & White (about omitting needless words, but figuring 
out which ones are truly needless and which add flavor, like taking the 
bioflavonoids out of a citrus slice and expecting it still to cure the 
common cold.)
    One thing he avoids is talking about the difficulties of a writer's 
life; one of his students told him you can get that everywhere, and he'd 
like to hear the positive stuff.  The overall tone of the book is 
encouraging and up-front.
    Some books tell you to meditate, give guided writings on uninspiring 
topics, or suggest bizarre activities meant to unlock your 
creativity.  Others say nothing more than write daily, defend your writing 
time, and use proper manuscript format.  But this one doesn't stall the 
browser with homework assignments and suggestions for journal entries, yet 
assumes you are a pro and want to write readable fiction.  If the muse 
needs a little nudge, or you just feel like reading something better than 
"People" in the doc's office, try this one.
    "Begin right now," he urges.  What better advice could one get?
*that's all for the moment*
- - -
The only thing that flies faster than an F-16 is your guardian angel
- - - -
Nine out of ten doctors recommend reading my books.  The tenth is a quack.
Shalanna Collins  <[email protected]> <http://home.attbi.com/~shalanna/>
_Dulcinea: or Wizardry A-Flute_  (e-mail me 4 excerpt)  ISBN 0-7388-5388-7
New!  I'm trying out a blog/jrnl <http://www.livejournal.com/users/shalanna/>