Until recently, I have never considered myself a writer. Natalie Goldberg helped to change my mind. When I started reading Writing Down the Bones, I felt a lot of “Yes!” that made me reconsider. Now I’m enjoying reading about writing and thought I would share some of the books that have been highly recommended to me. I hope you’ll also share your top writing books so that we can continue to build some fantastic inspirational resources together!

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within (Shambhala Library) by Natalie Goldberg

I’m wild about this book. I have the anniversary audio edition on my iPod and I travel the city everywhere listening to Natalie’s wisdom. I listen to chapters over and over again.  I hear Natalie’s voice in my ear when I’m choosing to say hydrangea instead of flower. The chapter “Writing is a Communal Act” is a must read.

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

I feel less connected to this book, in part because it’s focused on writing fiction. Ann’s got a great gift for storytelling and for me the joy of this book has been reading her share about her own experience and life within the context of writing.

If You Want To Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland

When I started reading this book, I cried.  I’ve only read a couple of chapters because I have to take time to cry with each of them. Crying is just one of those things I do when something really speaks to me. The first chapter starts with “Everybody is talented, original and has something important to say.” In Brenda, I feel like I’ve found a mentor. She articulates with confidence and grace so many of the philosophies I hold dear and reminds me that I am a part of a greater discourse, a part of a discussion about life and art that has been going on since life and art began. That made me feel at home.

On Writing by Stephen King

I haven’t so much as picked up this book but it comes so highly recommended by so many resources that I thought I should share it too. If you’ve read it, what did you think?

What writing books would you recommend?

These are MuseCubes “the 30-second break that shakes you free!” What clever, sparkling, creative simplicity by Gretchen Wegner, who many of you will recognize as one of the wrecking crew for Wreck this Journal. These lovely babies are handmade with love by Gretchen and friends and they are designed to inspire.

One way stir creative thinking is to bring together concepts or ideas and see what happens when they hang out. Gretchen has done that in a delicious and beautiful way with MuseCubes. Each side has a verb and you get 2 cubes. So whenever you need to shake things up a bit, just toss and play with the results. Every roll gets your body involved and shifts your energy. Here’s what happened when I rolled “Sigh” and “Dance”: