Ambitious list this month, Matt. I've heard of the Rubin book, but I don't know. Another book on creativity? I think I've had my fill, besides Im too busy being creative.
Actually, it feels more like a book of Taoist sayings than a “how-to” book. There are 78 chapters in there, mostly a couple of pages each, so I’m thinking I’ll read one in the morning while I’m waking up, one at lunchtime followed by meditation, and one at bedtime so I can sleep on it.
“…if labour was equitably shared out amongst everyone, resulting in shorter workdays, unemployment would decrease and human happiness would increase due to the increase in leisure time, further resulting in increased involvement in the arts and sciences. […] Russell therefore argues that four hours of work per day would be enough to keep the whole population living in sufficient comfort, while the rest of the time would be devoted to leisure."
(Wikipedia entry on Bertrand Russell’s In Praise of Idleness)
I can 100% get behind this. Added to this month’s reading list.
1. I know I write about writing, but to be honest, I mostly do it for myself. It helps me put my thoughts in order. My writing blog is more of a journal than a lecture series.
2. There's a huge difference between telling you what you should write, and giving you tips on how to write. I don't even mean technique - I mean process and mindset. I prefer blogs that are inspirational and conversational, not didactic.
3. There are no universal rules. I can tell you what works for me, but that doesn't mean it'll work for you or for your book. (Or for future me, for that matter.) And often, the so-called rules are in conflict. Feel free to ignore them.
4. Not all writers are the same. If you're writing for money or for a publisher, that's completely different to writing for pleasure. Some people churn out book after book, others will spend decades on one book. A lot of advice probably doesn't apply to you.
I do actually enjoy reading other writers writing about writing. Just not when I'm trying to focus on my own writing.
I was just having a rant yesterday about those "ten things you must do" writing blogs. It's just snake oil. Reading good books and actually writing are the best ways to learn how to write, and Robocop 2 should give us all the warning we need about endless streams of rules.
Ambitious list this month, Matt. I've heard of the Rubin book, but I don't know. Another book on creativity? I think I've had my fill, besides Im too busy being creative.
Actually, it feels more like a book of Taoist sayings than a “how-to” book. There are 78 chapters in there, mostly a couple of pages each, so I’m thinking I’ll read one in the morning while I’m waking up, one at lunchtime followed by meditation, and one at bedtime so I can sleep on it.
“…if labour was equitably shared out amongst everyone, resulting in shorter workdays, unemployment would decrease and human happiness would increase due to the increase in leisure time, further resulting in increased involvement in the arts and sciences. […] Russell therefore argues that four hours of work per day would be enough to keep the whole population living in sufficient comfort, while the rest of the time would be devoted to leisure."
(Wikipedia entry on Bertrand Russell’s In Praise of Idleness)
I can 100% get behind this. Added to this month’s reading list.
A few additional observations on writing blogs:
1. I know I write about writing, but to be honest, I mostly do it for myself. It helps me put my thoughts in order. My writing blog is more of a journal than a lecture series.
2. There's a huge difference between telling you what you should write, and giving you tips on how to write. I don't even mean technique - I mean process and mindset. I prefer blogs that are inspirational and conversational, not didactic.
3. There are no universal rules. I can tell you what works for me, but that doesn't mean it'll work for you or for your book. (Or for future me, for that matter.) And often, the so-called rules are in conflict. Feel free to ignore them.
4. Not all writers are the same. If you're writing for money or for a publisher, that's completely different to writing for pleasure. Some people churn out book after book, others will spend decades on one book. A lot of advice probably doesn't apply to you.
I do actually enjoy reading other writers writing about writing. Just not when I'm trying to focus on my own writing.
I was just having a rant yesterday about those "ten things you must do" writing blogs. It's just snake oil. Reading good books and actually writing are the best ways to learn how to write, and Robocop 2 should give us all the warning we need about endless streams of rules.
Learn by doing.