Practice Makes Perfect (revisiting a earlier post)

When I wrote this in early 2010, these were my favorite books for writers. Since they remain the same, I’m sharing the post again. Enjoy!

I am not one for practicing random writing. Occasionally it does seem like the only way I can get words to paper, but, most of the time, I write within a story that plays into a novel-length work. When I do practice for practice sake, I have two favorite books.

Word Painting: A Guide to Writing More Descriptively by Rebecca McClanahan suggests exercises that allow me to use my own writing. My favorites include keeping a sensory log, changing your visual POV, delineating the steps used in a common action to help readers understand a character(washing dishes, combing hair) and creating a “constellation of images”(understanding which of my personal life experiences wind through my writings).

Pencil Dancing: New Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit by Mari Messer is my second choice. The title attracted me, the layout interested me and the exercises “spoke to me”. Mari invites the reader to explore life experiences as if for the first time (a bubble bath, waking up). She encourages me to get in touch with who I am and how I write.

There is a pattern here. Every writer needs to find his/her own patterns. They will lead to stronger writing.

Please share your favorite writing books or your favorite books that demonstrate good writing.