Books on Writing, by Kait Carson

Back in the day, I attended a college that was known for underwater basket weaving and advertising that both semesters were spring.  I’m sure it was a fine school, I earned three undergraduate degrees. Somehow, I managed not to get a degree in English, despite taking classes from Shakespeare to the Existentialists. In those years the English department was geared toward turning out academics, not authors. As a result, only two creative writing classes were offered. One in French. I took them both.

The lack of academic credentials didn’t matter. I’d been published since high school. Had an agent find me, and I’d long ago decided if I couldn’t be a trauma surgeon. I’d be a writer. When married, my world view changed. Writing is many things, but a steady income is not among them. Not if you are a creative writer. The country was in a recession, inflation rampant. Two newly minted college graduates needed the financial security of reliable paychecks. Then my agent passed away. The only writing I saw after that was on the wall, and it wasn’t encouraging.

Fast forward a few dozen years – well, not quite, but you get the picture. The literary world had changed, agents were no longer looking for writers, it was the other way around, and the only way to get an agent was to write the book(s). Long ago success had little impact, what have you done lately? All of my past sales were short stories, agents weren’t interested. When I sat down to write a novel, I discovered short story skills did not translate. The concept was the same, beginning, middle, and ending, but fleshing out those bones was very different. I was lost.

Fortunately, there were books on writing. Many books on writing. Some good, some not so good, some written by people who were hoping to find their own way by writing a book on how to write a book. I devoured most of them.  A few did leave dents in my walls. Over time, I managed to absorb enough to become a semi-competent writer. Competent enough to pick and choose from the avalanche of information presented, and ultimately competent enough to buy writing books for enjoyment.

Some of my favorites are On Writing, by Stephen King, Write Away, by Elizabeth George, Plotting the Character Driven Novel, by Linda Rodriguez, Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel, by Hallie Ephron (both editions). You get the picture. My favorite writing books are books on writing by my favorite authors. Every time I sit down with one, I learn something new or am reminded of something I need to know.

A few months ago, I added a new writer’s book to my collection. I bought it as a Kindle book at first, but I wasn’t half-way through before I knew I needed this book in paper for ready reference. The book, Seven Steps on the Writer’s Path, by Nancy Pickard and Lynn Lott. It’s not so much about how to write as it is about the writing life. If you ever wanted to know how to birth to a novel, this book tells you all about it in humorous detail. It also helps guide you from one step to the next. What surprised me was how universal the writing process is. Seriously, I’d always felt rather alone on parts of the journey. I was thrilled to meet fellow travelers.

The Seven Steps? The Trailhead, Unhappiness, Wanting, Commitment, Wavering (hello, I’m there right now), Letting Go, Immersion, and finally, Fulfillment. I won’t attempt a synopsis of each step here, you’ll need to check out the book for that, but I can guarantee if you are a writer, you’ll find yourself on familiar ground with a few “Ah Ha” moments mixed in.

Reading this book gave me amazing comfort. Now, when I’m frustrated, or blocked, I figure out where I am on the path and know that this too shall pass. Until the next time.

Readers and writers, have you encountered a book that made the bits and pieces of your life fall into place? What was it?