Be Fearless! Become a Professional and Successful Writer

From Kate’s Writing Crate…

          My professional life has gotten very busy. I’m editing and indexing a book for publication in early spring as well as working on a book I’m co-authoring with Cheryl L. Butler, co-founder of this blog. Add to that a few other freelance projects, this blog, and my day job of editing and writing for two publications and I’m very busy indeed.

          There are so many opportunities for writers these days as an employee, a freelancer and, best of all, as your own boss!

          Whatever your dreams, be fearless!

You have to be able to write on demand to meet deadlines. Have great ideas for articles and follow through with interviews and/or finish the book you are always talking about and get it published.

Write. Rewrite. Polish. Publish. If you are a writer, those are the job requirements to make a living doing what you love.

          Practical ways to achieve your dreams:

I recommend reading:

 Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write with Confidence by William Kenower is essential for every writer. Inspiring. Motivating. Supportive. Fantastic! (Please see my reviews of this book on this blog.)

          Ensouling Language: On the Art of Nonfiction and the Writer’s Life by Stephen Harrod Buhner. Read it for the sheer beauty of his written words as well as his remarkable thoughts—a fabulous beacon for anyone on a writer’s path.

          The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield will keep writer’s block away. Whenever I’m not inspired to write, I flip it open and read a page or two then I’m raring to write again without fail. I most love his encouraging and inspiring essay “The Artist’s Life” on page 165—which I think should have been the first in his book because it’s essential for writer’s to know and believe in it.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg will get you thinking and writing. Follow her routine of filling a spiral notebook every month. I’ve been doing this for well over a decade. I have no fear of the blank page because I face it every day in this low-key way.

          I recommend writing:

          Fill a spiral notebook a month as recommended by Natalie Goldberg in her book recommended above. Upside—no fear of blank pages. It's a private way to improve your writing and capture ideas fearlessly.

Start a blog on any topic of interest so you write regularly—never missing a deadline. Gain an audience. Get feedback. Improve your writing fearlessly.

          Take a writing class. I did and besides learning more about the writing craft, I met the new owner of a local magazine there. This led to an internship, then a staff writing position, then Assistant Editor, then Editor, then Editor of two publications, then three, then four. Then all the freelance work I’ve done—and soon a published book—all because I was brave enough to go to one writing class and willing to work hard and fearlessly.

          Cheryl wrote her first book, Pregnant Women Don’t Eat Cabbage, for one hour each Saturday (all the time she could spare while raising eight children) until completed. She was brave and did some public speaking events. In the audience one night was a woman from Macmillan Publishing. A while later when the current Mighty Mommy left, this woman remembered Cheryl and recommended her to become the company’s Mighty Mommy columnist and podcaster—all because Cheryl pursued her writing dream fearlessly!
.

Amazon has certainly opened up opportunities for authors. I have several friends working on books they plan to publish through Amazon. A friend of one of these friends has published both through a traditional publisher and Amazon, and she prefers Amazon as she has full control over the cover and content and receives more of the profits. Publish fearlessly.

Be fearless! That’s what it takes to be a professional and successful writer!

Ensouling Language by Stephen Harrod Buhner

From Kate’s Writing Crate…

          Life has gotten very busy. Besides family obligations, work, and creative projects, Cheryl and I are working on a really big writing project which I will discuss in January.

In my spare time, I am reading Ensouling Language: On the Art of Nonfiction and the Writer’s Life by Stephen Harrod Buhner. The title grabbed my attention as I was browsing for something to read.

I am entranced by this book. I had hoped to write a review for my post this month, but I have only finished five chapters due solely to lack of spare time as I love this book.

In fact, I love this book so much I have bought it for all the writers on my gift list as well as a second copy for myself as I never want to be without a copy. (Off the top of my head I can think of 10 other books with intentional duplicates in my library, but I know there are a few more. I will make that list a future blog post.)

Despite not being able to write a complete review (look for a Masterclass post in the future), I wanted to let writers know about this book now. If the title and/or my comments interest you, I hope you will check it out.

At the end of his “Before Buying This Book” section on pp. xi-xv, Buhner states:

                                                 

This book…is for all the children who stayed up late, covers over their heads, flashlight on, reading when they were supposed to be sleeping…It is for every child who has felt touched by the greatness of this craft and then, when they were, heard someplace deep inside a tiny voice speaking, saying something like, “I wish I could write like that; I wish I could write something that would make other people feel like I just felt. I want to do that too.”

You can and what is more, you must.

          If you have ever felt that way, Ensouling Language by Stephen Harrod Buhner is a book for you.

Reads for Writers: Tribe of Mentors by Timothy Ferriss

From Kate’s Writing Crate…

            I am reading Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Timothy Ferriss who asks over 130 people from all walks of life the same 11 questions including: What book do you give as a gift the most or what one to three books have most influenced your life? What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life? How has failure set you up for later success? If you could have one gigantic billboard, what would it say? In the last five years, what new belief or habit has most improved your life?  

Here are some of my favorite quotes by authors/writers:

“…Real work and real satisfaction come from the opposite of what the web provides. They come from going deep into something—the book you’re writing, the album, the movie—and staying there a long, long time,” says Steven Pressfield. (page 9)

“…Obsess over figuring out the funnest, most exciting, most natural shape of yourself as a writer and start doing that…” Tim Urban (page 47)

“…Don’t let someone knock you off course before you reach your destination. Trust the work. Always trust the work,” says Soman Chainani. (page 72) “Make sure you have something every day you’re looking forward to…,” (page 73)

“…the metric I now use to judge my efforts and goals is: Did I do my best, given who I was and what I knew at that particular time? And what can I learn from the outcome to make my best better next time?” says Neil Strauss (page 98)

“Courage over comfort,” says Brene Brown. (page 233)

“Don’t let the weight of fear weigh down the joy of curiosity,” says Peter Guber. (page 281)

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear,” says Aisha Tyler quoting Jack Canfield (page 432)

                      

       Thanks to Tribe of Mentors, I have many new titles on my reading list as well as a lot of good advice from writers and many other successful people.

The book is a great gift idea, especially for new graduates. 

For Avid Readers: Books That Recommend Themselves

From Kate’s Writing Crate…

All of these books have characters or the author recommending many other books. As an avid reader, I can never have enough book recommendations. Enjoy!

Memoirs:

          Ann Hood’s memoir, Morningstar: Growing Up with Books, is a perfect example. As she shares her childhood memories of growing up in West Warwick, RI, she also discusses books she read that expanded her horizons. As the daughter of immigrants that couldn’t or didn’t have time to read, there were no books in her home so Hood cherished any book she could get her hands on at school, the library, or, joy of all joys, a bookstore.

When she was only four, Hood had one thought: “I want to live inside a book.” Later, she decided to be an author and make her wish come true.

          Join her as she reminisces about Little Women, Marjorie Morningstar, The Bell Jar, A Stone for Danny Fisher, The Harrad Experiment, Rabbit, Run, and many more books that impacted her life and career.

          Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Dirda shares his love of books in Browsings: A Year of Reading, Collecting, and Living with Books. In his essays, Dirda covers favorite authors, books, and thoughts on writing and the times we live in as well as what he reads while traveling. His On Conan Doyle memoir is also a great read. (See post dated 11/23/15.)

         

If mysteries are of interest:

The Secret, Book & Scone Society, by Ellery Adams, is set in Miracle Springs, a delightful town that is known for a healing spa that attracts many tourists. There is also a bookstore run by Nora, a bibliotherapist—a person who knows just which books customers need to read—and a bakery owned by Hester that specializes in off-the-menu comfort scones—original, made-to-order scones with the fragrance and taste guaranteed to bring back fond memories to each customer.

One visitor who meets Nora on a bench in town needs her help, but first he takes her advice to buy a comfort scone then head to the bookstore for recommendations, but he never arrives—suicide or murder? The disreputable and misogynist sheriff deems it suicide without much of an investigation. Nora, Hester, June, a worker at the thermal pools, and Estella, a beauty salon owner, are determined to get answers and so the Secret, Book & Scone Society is founded.

          Ellery Adams has written many other books including a book retreat series, starting with Murder in the Mystery Suite, set in a small town in Virginia. It’s the home of Storyton Hall, a 50-bedroom mansion privately owned, but run as a hotel for bibliophiles. There are several libraries and reading rooms for visitors including the Jane Austen Parlor, the Ian Fleming Lounge, the Isak Dinesen Safari Room, the Daphne du Maurier Morning Room, and the Beatrix Potter Playroom.

          Owned by Aloysius and Octavia Steward, their widowed grandniece, Jane, manages the hotel as well as her six-year-old twin boys. She is also planning a murder mystery event which, of course, turns deadly seemingly over the book given to the winner of a scavenger hunt.

          Jane is shaken by this event, but her life turns upside down when her aunt has a stroke and the Steward family secrets about Storyton Hall are imparted to her.

          The adventure continues in Murder in the Paperback Parlor and Murder in the Secret Garden.

          The Three Pines series by Louise Penny is set in a tiny village in Canada just north of the Vermont border. Centered around a village green, there is a gourmet bistro, a B&B,  a general store, a bakery, and a bookstore owned by a retired therapist.

Residents are friendly as most have lived there their whole lives, but how well do people ever really know each other when one of them is a murderer? Inspector Gamache and his big-city homicide team are going to find out in Still Life.

          The 13-book series continues with crimes that lead back to or take place in Three Pines, but Inspector Gamache and his team are also under attack from within the police force. Mistakes are made. People die. But through it all, Inspector Gamache stands for justice. (See post dated 8/14/17).

Poetry:

          Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver includes poems she has written during her over 50-year career. Known especially for her poems about nature, this book gives readers a feel for her work as each section is based on one of her previous books. If you enjoy any of them, you can read even more by going to the original books. As a dog owner, I am a big fan of her pieces from Dog Songs, but most of her poems speak to me so I’ve read a dozen of her books.

          I also recommend Blue Pastures for all writers. Selections from this book are not included in Devotions, but Blue Pastures tells the story of how Mary Oliver came to be a writer and poet. (See posts dated 3/21/16 & 4/4/16.)

          Just for Fun:

          I’ve discovered a series of inspirational paperback journals (Write Now Journals) with fun and/or thoughtful quotes and drawings on the covers and throughout. Among my favorites are: “I must be a mermaid..I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.” –Anais Nin; (a dog-themed journal) “…our friend for always and always and always.” –Rudyard Kipling; and “Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak.” –Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati.

These are fabulous pages for jotting or recording books you’ve read or books you want to read. 

Becoming a Fearless Writing Warrior

From Kate’s Writing Crate…

          Cheryl and I started this blog to encourage others too scared or scarred to write. We shared thoughts on every aspect of writing we knew from experience: remembrances as newbies and as current writer/author and writer/editor to show readers they could have writing careers, too.

          I am proud of our posts. When we started, we had long lists of topics which we exhausted. However, the pressure of a weekly blog squeezed thoughts out of us so we didn’t disappoint our readers. Many of those are my favorite posts.

I wasn’t sure when or if I would run out of topics so reaching the fifth anniversary was fun and surprising. I thought I could keep going, but then I read Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write with Confidence by William Kenower.

Frankly, if you want to be a writer read that book. If it doesn’t help you write I honestly don’t know what will.

So I’m at a crossroad. Do I continue to encourage others to write even though Fearless Writing is the best book on writing/being a writer I’ve ever read? Do I stop writing the blog and concentrate on my writing projects that have been planned, but now, motivated by Fearless Writing, I’m raring to complete and generate income? Or do I also write the blog as a Fearless Writing Warrior (FWW) as Cheryl now calls us?

The writing advice that we all first learn—show, don’t tell—makes me think I have told you about Fearless Writing, but I haven’t shown you.

I’m going to give some thought to changing the focus of this blog to Fearless Writing Warrior. I’ll let you know what I've decided next week.

In the meantime, read William Kenower’s book Fearless Writing and become a Fearless Writing Warrior, too.

Reads for Writers: Fearless Writing by William Kenower 2nd Review

From Kate’s Writing Crate…

As a reader, I always love finding books that appeal to me. As a writer, I am twice as pleased when the authors also provide masterclasses within their books.

          Masterclasses take place when performance artists and musicians work one-on-one with students. Writers don’t generally have this option, but I have found some books to be masterclasses for characters, backstories, plots, settings, voice and/or creativity.

         

          In a previous blog, I explained how I decided whether a book was worth a review. First, I mark up a book as I read it. I underline. I score paragraphs. I write notes. And if there is an excellent point made, I dog ear the bottom corner of that page.

          If there are marks, notes, or dog-eared corners on 25%-30% of the pages, the book gets a good review; more than 30%, a great review.

In the two decades I have been reviewing books, I never hit 50%. I never expected to as that’s an almost impossibly high bar. Then I read Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write with Confidence by William Kenower which came in at near 100%.

I felt a bit ridiculous dog earing page after page after page, but Kenower’s truths, descriptions, points, and advice were worth every mark, note, and folded corner.

Quite simply, this book is the Masterclass for writing.

Kenower recommends that readers start with chapter 1 “A Writer’s Worst Fear”  and chapter 2 “The Flow”  then choose which chapters interest them. I think beginning writers should follow his direction, but if you are a more experienced writer you might want to start with either chapter 10 “Finding Time to Write Or Why Procrastination Makes Sense” or chapter 13 “Don’t Fear the Cliché Or Relax—You’re an Original”  as these are two big fears of most writers. Once read, fearless writing can begin.

From my marks, notes, and dog-eared corners, I found every chapter important. I’ve read chapters 1-8 twice and chapters 9-18 three times. I feel like reading them all until they are a part of my DNA.

I’m a fast reader, but I had to put Fearless Writing down to give myself time to absorb what the author was sharing. It’s his story, but it’s also a universal one for every writer filled with insights and truths.

I recognized many of the truths Kenower discussed because I’ve experienced them too, but sometimes so briefly I hadn’t realized until he named them. But even more important were the truths I hadn’t thought about—just accepted—without realizing some, like discomfort and procrastination, have their own purposes. (Read chapter 8 “Creative Discomfort Or How to Love What You Thought You Hated” and chapter 10 “Finding Time to Write Or Why Procrastination Makes Sense” respectively.)

The other chapters are: “Feel First,” “Write What You Love,” “Accuracy,” “Critiques and Workshopping,” “The Intentional Arc,” “Writing is Listening,” “How Thought Works,” “Fearless Marketing,” “The Talent Myth,” “Fear of Failure,” “Evidence,” “Becoming the Author of Your Life,” and “A Good Ending.”

I am so grateful and excited that William Kenower wrote this book. It is life-altering.

Here are just a few insights from Fearless Writing:

“…the only two questions a writer should ask are “What do I want to say?” and “Have I said it?” If you are asking anything else, you’re not writing—you’re just worrying. (page 53)

“…You must embrace the reality that your curiosity is curious enough, your perceptions are perceptive enough, your humor is humorous enough. Get comfortable with that, and you will always know what you most want to say—and if you have said it.” (pp. 70-71)

“,,, There is a great distinction between an idea as it appears in my imagination and what that idea becomes on the page…I must trade in that initial excitement for the patient pleasure of discovery.” (page 106)

“How interested I am in the questions I ask my imagination determines the speed and power of the answer I receive. I must remind myself of this often…” (page 107)

“…when you accept the confidence you already possess and understand that writing’s immediate payoff is the pleasure of finding the next sentence, and then the next, you will discover that you have plenty of time to write…” (page 127)

“…The Flow is the experience of pointing your car toward something you love and are authentically curious about, and then riding the momentum of thought that ensues…” (page 135)

“…Writing, after all, is such an intuitive business. Writing is all about knowing what has no evidence for being known. Writing is all about following a path only you can perceive, that is felt and not seen…” (page 196)

“…If I am deliberate with the stories I tell myself away from the desk, I become the author of my day-to-day experience. Now life is a story I am telling rather than one I have been made to read.” (page 219)

          I hope all writers read this book so they can become not only authors, but the authors of their own lives.

         

           

         

Reads for Writers: Fearless Writing by William Kenower (A book all writers need to read)

From Kate’s Writing Crate…

          On September 18, 2017, I listed about 80 favorite books. Then on October 2, 2017, I picked the one book I would recommend to all writers—The War of Art by Steven Pressfield—and I still recommend it highly, but I just read Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write with Confidence by William Kenower and now this is the book I’d first recommend to all writers.

          As Garth Stein notes on the cover of this book, “This isn’t a ‘how-to’ book about writing. It’s a book about how to be a writer.”

And that is the truth. I recommend all writers rush out and buy it or get it through their local libraries.

In the Introduction, the author recommends chapters one and two should be read in order then readers can choose which chapter appeals to them next. They all appealed to me, especially Chapter 13 “Don’t Fear the Cliché Or Relax—You’re an Original” and Chapter 10 “Finding Time to Write Or Why Procrastination Makes Sense.” I’m not ready to go on a book tour yet, but Chapter 12 “Fearless Marketing Or How to do Your Job and No One Else’s” has eased my mind for when I need to sell my book.

I have only just finished reading the book. Without reservation, I think it’s the best book for writers that I have ever read and I have reads hundreds and hundreds since I decided I wanted to be a writer, while working for national book review magazine for small publishers, and reviewing books for other magazines as well as on this blog. Lots of books do not make the cut to be reviewed, but Fearless Writing deserves reviews, honors, and awards. It is on top of my must-read book list now.

Fearless Writing is the Masterclass for me.

I cannot do justice to this book by writing a review in a few hours as I just finished it. However, I wanted to get the word out immediately that Fearless Writing should be in every writer’s office and personal library.

I will write a proper review next week. In fact, I revere Fearless Writing so much I may write three or four.

Cheryl just finished reading Chapter 10. She emailed me to say it took her breath away. 

I think that is a terrific review for this book.

See what you think.

Answers to Questions About Favorite Books

From Kate’s Writing Crate…

         

           Last week I had just come across a delightful book, a perfect gift for a reader or a writer, entitled I’d Rather Be Reading: A Library of Art for Book Lovers by Guinevere de la Mare.

As I noted, the artwork is mostly fun and colorful. The accompanying text consists of clever slogans, book-related poetry, and essays including “Cheating” by Ann Patchett, which included a list of interview questions about her favorite books. Her essay first appeared on her blog “Musings” which appears on the Parnassus Books web site, her bookstore. To see Ann Patchett’s answers, you will need to visit her blog or buy this book.

Here are my answers although I didn’t confine myself to the rules and I added a list of my favorite books about writers and writing as this blog is about writing. Since many of my favorite books were included in other questions, listing 25 more at the end was fun. I reviewed many of these books under Reads for Writers, Writing Book Recommendations, essays, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and some by author if you want more information.

         

Name your 25 favorite books about writers and writing.


(Please see posts dated October 30, 2017 and November 6, 2017 as Fearless Writing by William Kenower belongs at the top of this list.)

A New Kind of Country by Dorothy Gilman

Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing by XJ Kennedy and Dana Gioia

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well by Paula LaRocque (Also, Championship Writing)

The Elements of Eloquence: Secrets of the Perfect Turn of Phrase by Mark Forsyth

Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write with Confidence by William Kenower (Also, Writing Within Yourself—An Author’s Companion)

For Writers Only: Inspiring Thoughts on the Exquisite Pain and Heady Joy of the Writing Life, From Great Practitioners by Sophy Burnham

Handling the Truth: On Writing Memoirs by Beth Kephart

Invisible Ink: A Practical Guide to Building Stories That Resonate by Brian McDonald (Also The Golden Theme)

The Little Black Book of Writers’ Wisdom edited by Steven D. Price

My Writer’s Life by Ellen Gilchrist

On Conan Doyle by Michael Dirda

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life by Julia Cameron

Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure edited by Larry Smith, founder of Smith Magazine

The Soul of Creative Writing by Richard Goodman

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield  (Read page 165 first.)

The Way of the Writer: Reflections on the Art and Craft of Storytelling by Charles Johnson

Winter: Notes from Montana by Rick Bass

The Writer’s Devotional by Amy Peters

The Writer’s Home Companion by Joan Bolker, Ed.D.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg

Zen and the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity by Ray Bradbury

REFERENCE:

Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus

The Synonym Finder by J. I. Rodale

(You should already own The Elements of Style by Strunk & White)

What are you reading now?

I read multiple books at a time. Right now: The Long Way Home by Louise Penny (10^th book in murder mystery series); Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld; Books for Living: Some Thoughts on Reading, Reflecting, and Embracing Life by Will Schwalbe; and born bright: a young girl’s journey from nothing to something in america by c. nicole mason. Still working on summer reading list, Arthur and Sherlock: Conan Doyle and the Creation of Holmes by Michael Sims; Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for the Page, Stage, and Screen by Robert McKee; and Grief Cottage by Gail Godwin.

What was your favorite children’s book? Why?

I can’t pick just one. Harold and the Purple Crayon (and all the Harold books) by Crockett Johnson—adventures and solutions all through a writing instrument, great book for future writers; The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney—a tight-knit family faces adversity cheerfully as well as with the help of a German shepherd which is why I now have two of my own; the 199-page novel A Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith (NOT the children’s picture book)—always loved dogs and this has the happiest ending ever for a dog lover; and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster—such a clever use of language as well as teaching life lessons. None were new when I first read them. They are classics.

What book do you most often reread? Why?

I reread these four books the most: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values by Robert Pirsig—made me consider how I see the world. Each time I reread it I reconsider how I see the world. (Also, the sequel Lila.); Running From Safety by Richard Bach—trust yourself! Be who you were meant to be; Reflections on the Art of Living: A Joseph Campbell Companion selected and edited by Diane K. Osbon—discusses many of the myths, ideas, and beliefs in the world and what we have in common and what we can learn; and all of Robert Fulghum’s humorous and thoughtful essays about life—they make me laugh and cry, especially It Was on Fire When I Lay Down On It (pp. 9-15), Uh Oh, Maybe, Maybe Not, and True Love: Stories Told To and By the Author. Having a bad day? Read one of Fulghum’s books.

What book would you want with you on a desert island? Why?

Blue Pastures by Mary Oliver. I can remember the plots of my favorite books so I could replay them in my mind. Mary Oliver’s prose and poetry would make me think and remember and write—because I wouldn’t be on a desert island without notebooks and pens! I would also want the complete works of Henry David Thoreau as I would be without society.

What book would you recommend to a friend? Why?

It depends on the friend. I guess he/she would have to choose one from all that I have listed in the other questions, especially the next one.

What is your favorite biography? Why?

I read more memoirs than biographies. My favorite would be Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell about her best friend, Caroline Knapp, who died at 42. Both writers, Caldwell captures the essence of friendship and loss so beautifully I’m tearing up as I write this. I recommend it to everyone.

What is your favorite holiday book? Why?

The Sweet Smell of Christmas (a scented storybook) by Patrica M. Scarry. More than anything else, aromas bring memories rushing back. This story about a little bear is delightful as is the hot chocolate, peppermint, and orange scents (and more) in the book which I first read as a child. I’m glad it’s still in print as the scratch and sniff patches don’t last as long as the book.

What is your favorite summer read? Why?

The Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter. It was my grandmother’s favorite. I read her copy and remember the discussions we had about the characters and the spring and summer wilderness settings as my grandmother was a botanist.  

What is your favorite mystery? Why?

Almost any book by Agatha Christie as well as the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny who has won five Agatha awards. They both have deep insights into how humans think and why they commit murder—that frightens me more than the actual mystery.

What book did you think made a better movie than it did a book? Why?

Hasn’t happened yet for me.

What book most influenced your life? Why?

Many have influenced me in different and important ways—so the four I listed under books I reread for a start.

Most important was Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg as it started me on the path to my writing/editing career with her guideline to fill a spiral notebook every month without fail. I wrote regularly and met the deadline—best training for a writer. When I became an intern on staff at the magazines where I’m now the editor, I was ready to write articles on short deadlines as I had no fear of a blank page.

What is your favorite classic?

Again, can’t pick just one. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and the Emily series by L. M. Montgomery (Emily of New Moon, Emily Climbs, and Emily’s Quest) all about a young girl who wants to be a writer.

What is your favorite coffee-table book?

Our Home, Too by Schim Schimmel. I love his artwork. Also, The Life & Love of Dogs by Lewis Blackwell given to me by my dad, a fellow German shepherd owner, and one every dog owner will love.

Name your 25 favorite books on top of the ones listed above.

NON-FICTION

At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson

Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy (unforgettable)

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking and every other book written by Malcolm Gladwell

Dawn Light: Dancing with Cranes and Other Ways to Start the Day and every other book written by Diane Ackerman

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brian by Betty Edwards (Also, What Really Matters? with Tony Schwartz)

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

Rain: A Natural and Cultural History by Cynthia Barnett

FICTION:  

WRITERS AS MAIN CHARACTERS

The I-Team series by Pamela Clare

The Last Enemy by Pauline Baird Jones (thriller) (Also, The Spy Who Kissed Me—funny)

Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

MYSTERIES

The Digital Fortress by Dan Brown

The In Death series by JD Robb  (PLEASE NOTE: Adult themes & graphic violence)

(Don’t forget The Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny from my answers above.)

CHICK LIT

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (Also, Fast Women)

Dying to Please by Linda Howard

The Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas

FANTASY/SCI FI

The Dresden series by Jim Butcher

The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

ESSAYS

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

The Quiet Center: Women Reflecting on Life’s Passages from the Pages of Victoria Magazine, Katherine Ball Ross, Editor

This is the Story of a Happy Marriage (includes “The Getaway Car” an essay about how the author became a writer) by Ann Patchett. (The title refers to one essay. It is not the theme of the essays.)

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Life and Love from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed

POETRY

Poems by Billy Collins

Poems by Mary Oliver

Ten Windows: How Great Poems Transform the World by Jane Hirshfield

COOKBOOK

Confessions of a Closet Master Baker: A Memoir—One Woman's Sweet Journey from Unhappy Hollywood Executive to Contented Country Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado. While the original title seems more true to the author's outlook, it's been repackaged as My Life from Scratch: A Sweet Journey of Starting Over One Cake at a Time. Take note: the recipes cover more than cakes and the text tells wonderful stories from her childhood and life with her mother and her sister, actress Sandra Bullock.