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ExWhoDoesntCare

(4,741 posts)
32. No need to attend a class
Fri Nov 3, 2023, 11:33 AM
Nov 2023

Louise Penny hasn't published anything about the writing process, but Elizabeth George has written a book on that topic: Write Away (2004).

The writing books I most often recommend are the two by Stephen King:

Danse Macabre (1982). It's the same material he used for a writing course at University of Maine, "Themes in Supernatural Literature." So you get the actual class he taught--in book form.

On Writing (2000): It's half-memoir about his experiences as a writer, but also a master class for how to write well. Some literary critics consider this book among the finest non-fiction works ever written. It's so good that I actually consider it a character flaw if someone doesn't own a copy of it--and I am *not* much on reading SK's usual output. I adore all of his non-horror works, but his standard fare gives me many a sleepless night for weeks after reading them. Bloody hell, I *still* have nightmares about Pennywise from It.

The best writing advice, ever, isn't in a book at all, but in the essay, "Politics and the English Language," by George Orwell. You don't even have to buy anything to get it. It's available here:

https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/politics-and-the-english-language/

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I'm reading Dune. Rizen Oct 2023 #1
Such a great story hermetic Oct 2023 #2
The dreamy cat in the OP looks very much like my Cubby Bear, though with green eyes. He is japple Oct 2023 #3
That one is on my list hermetic Oct 2023 #5
Elizabeth George/Lynley & Havers cbabe Oct 2023 #4
Looks like a good one hermetic Oct 2023 #6
Public relations disaster results from cbabe Oct 2023 #7
No need to attend a class ExWhoDoesntCare Nov 2023 #32
Thanks. Although I do enjoy exchange of ideas in a class. cbabe Nov 2023 #33
The chances of being where they'll teach such classess ExWhoDoesntCare Nov 2023 #35
Aw, taking my daydream, or fiction, of a book class a cbabe Nov 2023 #37
"Grave Decisions," Stephen King Bayard Oct 2023 #8
Lots of good reads hermetic Oct 2023 #9
I'm reading "Little Fires Everywhere " by Celeste Ng Diamond_Dog Oct 2023 #10
I'm so glad you posted this! This is one of those books that got lost in my Kindle Library... Native Oct 2023 #13
I do the same thing! Diamond_Dog Oct 2023 #14
Thanks, and get better soon! Native Oct 2023 #16
TY! Diamond_Dog Oct 2023 #17
Sounds good hermetic Oct 2023 #18
currently reading " Getting A Head" a Kat Parker mystery by K.L. Phelps Volume 3 in a series yellowdogintexas Oct 2023 #11
LOL hermetic Oct 2023 #19
They are so much fun. The first one is "Mind if I Come In?" yellowdogintexas Oct 2023 #31
Jumper, by Steven Gould Jeebo Oct 2023 #12
Love this thread, always gives me more books to read. Today txwhitedove Oct 2023 #15
Yeah, me too. Thanks hermetic Oct 2023 #20
Woman They Could Not Silence ExWhoDoesntCare Nov 2023 #34
In the middle of ExWhoDoesntCare Oct 2023 #21
Just finished "The Amber Room" by Steve Berry Number9Dream Oct 2023 #22
I read the latest Reacher novel by Lee and Andrew Child -- The Secret. rsdsharp Oct 2023 #23
Thanks for the Lee Child tip. On order at the library, put on hold list. cbabe Oct 2023 #28
Purity by Jonathan Franzen mentalsolstice Oct 2023 #24
Sister! hermetic Oct 2023 #25
I'm back on the Harry Potter fanfiction happybird Oct 2023 #26
Gosh, don't apologize hermetic Oct 2023 #29
Thank you :) happybird Oct 2023 #30
What I always tell people who are "I'd like to read more, but ExWhoDoesntCare Nov 2023 #36
Demon Copperhead. TNNurse Oct 2023 #27
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