PENCIL TO PAPER


Dani Shapiro (2013). Still Writing: 
                                   The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life.


Shapiro wrote many books (mostly novels) and taught creative writing workshops for over 20 years. She lays out her life, her heart is here, she writes with honesty and realism on what it is like to be a writer...

i love the feel and look of the book--the cover is a watercolor image that simulates old parchment with simple hand lettering for the title, the inside matting is slightly raised, and the author bio on the back flap shows a caricature of the author typing instead of a glossy professional photo...how i wish my listening book could have this kind of feel...


Shapiro provides many helpful practices for writers to consider. Some of the many ideas/advice for writers include:

  • Start simple, get a notebook, a pen, and begin writing about your life, what you observe and feel
  • Build yourself a corner and anchor there, protect your writing time, make it a priority
  • Have a rhythm (she purposely doesn't call it a discipline) for your writing--a certain amount of time, a set number of pages...whatever works for you
  • let go of planning out everything for a book, let the book evolve as your life evolves...trust the process
  • read your work aloud, tend to the sound of the words, the flow...make it as good as you can get it
  • throw any variable into the mix, and it changes EVERYTHING
  • find a trusted reader who can provide honest feedback for you, another pair of eyes
  • at the end of an essay or book, draw a line and immediately begin writing the next piece (advice from writer Anthony Trollope)
if you are a writer (or would like to be a writer), choose one of the above ideas and implement it within the next 24 hours--start with the first one if you aren't sure where to begin, then add another, and another...better yet, buy the book and see what advice works for you to grow as a writer.









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