Reading: On Writing
We all like to write
Take our ideas, perceptions, feelings and common everyday whatnots, put them down on paper, or carve them into the streams of digital code floating behind our laptop screens. For one who wishes to fully dedicate, a prerequisite of good, healthy reading goes hand in hand with developing a unique style and method of this precious skill.
So what track to follow? Where to go?
Today there are plenty of options, ranging from on-line courses, creative writing workshops to large literary seminars.
But frankly, if you haven´t read a line in your life, you will hardly establish a firm ground in which there is possible to sow the seed of creation, that could one day become a blooming tree to bare a hefty yield of fruit.
Tell me, who are your heroes.
Who do you look up to? Who left you in awe, displaying a fine piece of written word, that influenced you so much, that you had to try it out yourself, and never looked back since?
Allow me to publicly state my dream of becoming a thoroughbred writer. I wish to publish a collection - or two, of poems, maybe move on to writing prose, short stories or a novel, or even a stage play.
Do you find yourself in these sentences? I myself do, literally.
I decided to elaborate on this topic, my fellow Steemians, and have chosen a few books of my favourite authors, to present to you, and maybe encourage you to also read them, if you haven´t thus far and benefit from the insights they offer. I sought out these particular titles, because they reveal more than a fictitious world of imagination. You see, when it comes to my interest in writing, I am often curious about the method, and the broader notion of influences that helped to form a remarkable artist. So these books are hands down, full on factual, open portals into a universe in which some of the biggest stars have risen out of the chaotic mist of creation.
They give us a glance at the biographical background of the authors, show us their ups and downs, reveal a confession of everyday struggle of pursuing ones true nature, often at the risk of regrettable loss and fulfilling the inherent human potential to a wholesome complexity. Please, enter this opportunity to be inspired.
On Writing:
by Stephen King
This piece on the craft is written in a straightforward manner, with all the BS detached, as that is one of the fundamentals King embraces in his approach.
He knows, that the devil is in the detail, which shows in the first main section of the book, where he goes way back into his childhood, to excavate and pinpoint out memories of events, that ultimately have led him to develop his persona. Interested in literature from early on, and this interest remaining into his adulthood, accompanied by trials and errors, equipped him to become the amazing writer, we recognize today.
In a witty allegory he showcases a toolbox of necessities, such as vocabulary and grammar, required to fully grasp
the basics of writing skill. He shares his stance on plot, character development, narration, or doing background research, to create authenticity, and also sheds some light onto text editing and publishing business from his perspective.
by Charles Bukowski
a heavyweight. Un
disputed. undoubtedly, no
thing short of
brilliant.
This book is a collection of letters, that Bukowski exchanged over decades of his writing career with other poets, writers, editors, publishers and friends, some pages adorned with his original doodles.
We don´t find any tricks of the trade in this one. Yet the book offers a lens into the workings of mind and heart of a truly unique individual, who against all odds, came out the other end as a winner, leaving behind vast quantities of published and unpublished work, prose and poetry alike.
Indeed a magnificent writer, whose distinctive voice and penetrating sense of humor resonate within every word.
by Henry Miller
This was an eye-opener. A red pill. Millers delivery is enchanting. He strikes you with sincere honesty and truthfulness and involves you in his great scheme of things, so that you can join him on his journey through this maze of first hand experience. No censorship. Pure flesh and barren bone only. The way he works with language is a sign of unrivaled genius. This is a man, with an extraordinary life story and he is eager to share it. Reading any of his works opens up horizons before unimagined and it is a ride one will surely remember.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article. Let me know what you think and share your sources of inspiration. If you like this post, please, don´t hesitate to upvote, or re-steem.
Title image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/books-study-literature-learn-stack-2158737/
Hello @vincentwalker, thank you for sharing this creative work! We just stopped by to say that you've been upvoted by the @creativecrypto magazine. The Creative Crypto is all about art on the blockchain and learning from creatives like you. Looking forward to crossing paths again soon. Steem on!
Hello @creativecrypto, Thanks for the upvote and reaching out to me. Let's create!
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