I bought an "inspirational" book for writers for two dollars, put it away, eventually found it again, and then read the entire thing. Reading the entire book means it must be good. I don't often finish a book unless I really enjoy it or find all of it to be helpful or new information.
A Cup of Comfort for Writers is the book. The first two chapters/essays were hard to be motivated to read, but the essays following those struck me as helpful and even fun. Sure, every once and a while I ran into an essay that I didn't like as much, but I knew a following essay would be enjoyable. And I was right.
Being a type of person who loves words and writing feels like a unique thing--so, reading stories of people who are wired to love them was encouraging.
It feels good to see other people put words to your feelings, and show how this love for words plays out in different settings and lifestyles.
Another thing I think happened is that it made me a better writer. I've heard people say that to be a better writer, you should read a lot. Well, with this book, I was reading good writing. On top of that, it was my favorite type that I like to practice myself--nonfiction!
Every time I look for websites, magazines, and books on writing, most of it is on fiction writing. That seems to be the need. But I don't ever intend to write fiction. I see value in it but I also wish I could see more focus on nonfiction.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Thursday, May 5, 2011
A Book About Identity
After reading and writing what feels like hundreds of e-mails at work, I often feel like reading is the least fun. But somehow I still go back to reading! It's inescapable. I guess this is one indication I do like editorial work, since my love for reading comes back every so often.
This week I'm reading my first Os Guinness book. I never heard of Os before I read a biography on Francis Schaeffer that mentioned Os. First of all, I think the name Os is awesome. Secondly, his writing is full of quotes and stories from all sorts of people and times in history. And he really thinks deeply.
As I read his book, The Call, I feel like I'm listening to a friend tell me all his deep thoughts. Maybe it feels like listening to a friend also because he doesn't say, "Do these five steps." Instead he takes time to show how what he is writing about is complex, that our life on earth can't be perfect, and that's okay.
I think good friends normally don't tell you a number of rules to follow to solve your problem; rather, they acknowledge that life is complex, and that it's okay that you haven't reached perfection, and that life is more than that (it's more about fun and friendships).
The book is about how to view identity and calling in life. Identity has always been a topic I've been interested in. I guess my interest is due to living in our culture: it seems like the culture says you can buy and chose your identity--like being goth or a cheerleader type or a sports person. But I've always wanted to know what more defines us, what more tells us it's okay to just be absolutely unique (but if we're unique, something different than anyone else, how can you define each person?).
Calling is something I'm not as interested in, but this book combines the two. Your calling identifies you in some way. This is interesting.
Anyway, I wanted to list what books I've read so far in 2011. But only because I'm too lazy to remember to write it anywhere else! A friend told me he writes down each book he reads, and I find merit in that. So here it is:
This week I'm reading my first Os Guinness book. I never heard of Os before I read a biography on Francis Schaeffer that mentioned Os. First of all, I think the name Os is awesome. Secondly, his writing is full of quotes and stories from all sorts of people and times in history. And he really thinks deeply.
As I read his book, The Call, I feel like I'm listening to a friend tell me all his deep thoughts. Maybe it feels like listening to a friend also because he doesn't say, "Do these five steps." Instead he takes time to show how what he is writing about is complex, that our life on earth can't be perfect, and that's okay.
I think good friends normally don't tell you a number of rules to follow to solve your problem; rather, they acknowledge that life is complex, and that it's okay that you haven't reached perfection, and that life is more than that (it's more about fun and friendships).
The book is about how to view identity and calling in life. Identity has always been a topic I've been interested in. I guess my interest is due to living in our culture: it seems like the culture says you can buy and chose your identity--like being goth or a cheerleader type or a sports person. But I've always wanted to know what more defines us, what more tells us it's okay to just be absolutely unique (but if we're unique, something different than anyone else, how can you define each person?).
Calling is something I'm not as interested in, but this book combines the two. Your calling identifies you in some way. This is interesting.
Anyway, I wanted to list what books I've read so far in 2011. But only because I'm too lazy to remember to write it anywhere else! A friend told me he writes down each book he reads, and I find merit in that. So here it is:
- Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life by Colin Duriez (biography)
- Home by Marilynne Robinson (fiction)
- God's Plans for Your Life by J. I. Packer ("Christian Living." Okay, the title sounds very boring, but it was good! I read most chapters, and from them I learned valuable things.)
- The Good News We Almost Forgot by Kevin DeYoung
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
A Couple Books
I thought I'd update you on what I've been reading and how it relates to my thoughts on writing.
Right now I'm reading Wayfaring by Alan Jacobs. When I read the introduction, it felt like I was in a college English class again. For me, that's a good thing—as long as there's no homework, of course. Good English classes explore important, deep questions through story. I'm also looking forward to this book because I've heard that Jacobs is a deep thinker and has a good understanding and interest in faith.
Last week I read Permission to Speak Freely by Anne Jackson. I thought it would help me to feel more open to writing in an informal style or in the way I would normally speak. It did indirectly help with that. The book was not about writing but was mostly about Anne's life and her wanting people to know about God's acceptance and how we should accept and love others. She had a wonderful point: that no one is without a secret—that everyone is the same when it comes to currently having or having had experienced something painful in one's life. It's a good message to a culture that seems to want to run from pain. Pain is real and a part of life, and it's Christ and love for him and others that helps us through it, no matter who we are. That can relate to writing informally too, because people just want to be known and know they're not alone. Writing too formally often reminds me of someone wanting to appear above others or not wanting anyone to know the person behind the writing. I know that’s not the intent, but I don’t want to write in that way—at least not when I’m writing for fun.
Right now I'm reading Wayfaring by Alan Jacobs. When I read the introduction, it felt like I was in a college English class again. For me, that's a good thing—as long as there's no homework, of course. Good English classes explore important, deep questions through story. I'm also looking forward to this book because I've heard that Jacobs is a deep thinker and has a good understanding and interest in faith.
Last week I read Permission to Speak Freely by Anne Jackson. I thought it would help me to feel more open to writing in an informal style or in the way I would normally speak. It did indirectly help with that. The book was not about writing but was mostly about Anne's life and her wanting people to know about God's acceptance and how we should accept and love others. She had a wonderful point: that no one is without a secret—that everyone is the same when it comes to currently having or having had experienced something painful in one's life. It's a good message to a culture that seems to want to run from pain. Pain is real and a part of life, and it's Christ and love for him and others that helps us through it, no matter who we are. That can relate to writing informally too, because people just want to be known and know they're not alone. Writing too formally often reminds me of someone wanting to appear above others or not wanting anyone to know the person behind the writing. I know that’s not the intent, but I don’t want to write in that way—at least not when I’m writing for fun.
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