Now that the weekend entertaining is done and the omelet pans washed, I’m putting my feet up and settling in for a quiet Monday morning read.
In mid-May I mentioned my shelf filled with books on writing. In comparison to some writers, my library isn’t all that impressive. There are many more volumes that I would love to own. There is so much to learn and I expect to be making discoveries until the end of my days.
As I went to my bookcase this morning I thought about the titles I reach for most often. My two faves are not ‘how to’ books to educate my mind on the creating and crafting process. Instead, they provide encouragement for my sometimes-fragile writing spirit.
Their titles say it all: “Take Joy: A Writer’s Guide to loving the Craft” by Jane Yolen, and “Room to Write: Daily Invitations to a Writer’s Life” by Bonni Goldberg. There are times when I don’t need to be told how to write. I just need a little nurturing. These books nurture.
But please don’t ask me to pick just one of them!
MUSINGS 
Hi Carol,
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I appreciated your thoughts! And thanks for bringing these books to my attention! I’ve never heard of them, but they do sound very encouraging, and sometimes that’s what we need more than another technique!
… encouragement for my sometimes-fragile writing spirit …
I confess how weak I am in this area. How vulnerable I am to need encouragement. How childlike I can be to need God to send through others the words to spur me on.
I am grateful for your visit to my blog. You provided much needed encouragement.
I’m not familiar with either of those books — they sound wonderful.
One of my favorites is MAKING A LITERARY LIFE by Carolyn See,and I also enjoy ESCAPING INTO THE OPEN by Elizabeth Berg.
I find them nurturing, too.
I’m at a point where “how to” is less helpful than encouragement. i KNOW how — I make my living doing this. But sometimes I get tired and need a little bit of comfort.
Thanks to all of you for your comments. A little encouragement, whether given or received, always lifts the spirit and I think it’s easier to write productively with a hopeful attitude. I’m not one who writes well in the grip of despair!
I also have and enjoy “Escaping Into the Open”, Devon, but hadn’t heard of Carolyn See’s book. I’ll have to look it up.
These days I’m looking for inspiration. I love my On Writing by Stephen King. It does two things, brings him down to earth where I can recognize his dreams and aspirations, and it leaves me feeling hopeful.
I enjoyed that one, too. For inspiration of a different kind I also like the collection “How I Got Published: Famous Authors Tell You in Their Own Words” edited by Ray White and Duane Lindsay. Lots of stories of perseverance and success that provide hope, too. Hope is always a good thing. 🙂