Showing posts with label Elizabeth Gilbert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elizabeth Gilbert. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

A Creative Life: Book Recommendations for Writers

by Suzy Leopold

When something makes you want to do something and when something gives you an idea about what to create, this is inspiration. Writers need inspiration. Clever ideas create sparks in a writer's mind along with feelings of emotion.

And this book does just that.

BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR
by Elizabeth Gilbert

Riverhead Books
2016

The instant #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller
BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING
BEYOND FEAR
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Many may recognize Elizabeth Gilbert as the author of EAT PRAY LOVE.

In BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR, Elizabeth Gilbert "digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective on creativity, offering potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration".

Inspiration is needed to be a writer. This book is inspiring.

Elizabeth Gilbert writes about the mysterious nature of inspiration. She offers attitudes, habits, and ideas for living a creative life. She encourages creatives to look within for the strange jewels.

The book is divided into six sections and includes:
Part I     Courage
Part II    Enchantment
Part III   Permission
Part IV  Persistence
Part V   Trust
Part VI  Divinity

Enjoy listening to the first chapter, Hidden Treasure pages 3-7 of Part I, Courage.

And if you want more, here's more to read as a pdf.

Discover what you were meant to do. Hope you feel curious, encouraged, and most of all inspired to live a creative life.

Writers will find inspiration in this book, too.

THE MAGIC WORDS: WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
by Cheryl B. Klein

2016
W. W. Norton & Company
THE MAGIC WORDS: WRITING GREAT BOOKS
FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
by Cheryl B. Klein
Perhaps you recognize Cheryl B. Klein as the Editor Lee & Low Books.

"Insightful, enlightening, and practical, The Magic Words is a book that belongs on every writer's shelf. Loaded with concrete examples and specific strategies, it's likely to end up dog-eared and well worn--that favorite book on craft that writers revisit again and again with each new project."
Kate Messner, author

Do you note my many Post-its?

It's like a master class inside a book. It's like a handbook with useful tools for writing children's and YA fiction.

The author guides writers on a practical writing journey from writing principles, crafting a strong story, and publishing.

Take a few moments to check out her excellent web site, blog, and many resources. You'll note additional book titles Cheryl authored along with two picture books.

WINGS made its debut in March 2019 and is illustrated by Caldecott winner, Tomie de Paola. Read more about this book in a dual interview with Cheryl and Tomie. The book is written with one dozen rhyming words: wings, clings, flings, stings, wrings, dings, things, brings, springs, sings, rings, and zings.
WINGS
by Cheryl B. Klein
Illustrated by Tomie de Paola
In September 2019, look for THUNDER TRUCKS. Cheryl partnered up with Katy Beebe are the a dual author team of this book. The bright, bold illustrations are by Mike Boldt.
THUNDER TRUCKS
by Cheryl Klein & Katy Beebe
Illustrated by Mike Boldt
While we know creating a picture book is a team effort between author and illustrator, have you ever considered writing a book with a writerly friend? The idea is something to consider.

"If you have a writer friend whose strengths complement yours,
AND you can manage your respective writerly egos,
consider drafting a book together to use both of your types of genius."
~Cheryl Klein

The idea is something to consider. Just ask fellow GROGgers Christy Mihaly and Sue Heavenrich. Together they wrote and co-authored DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE: FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIAMTE
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
by Christy Mihaly and
Sue Heavenrich
May these books inspire and encourage your writing journey.
Read, write, and create
Every day

###

From the desk of Sherri Jones Rivers:

Jillanne Hoffman
is the winner of:

NO BEARS ALLOWED 
By Lydia Lukidis
Illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

From the desk of Kathy Halsey:

Whispering Pines' Writing Retreat
A Working Retreat
October 25-27, 2019

For more information click here and on the New England SCBWI site.

Monday, November 14, 2016

TED Talks for Children's Writers and Illustrators ~ by Patricia Toht

As a writer, I have a list of TED talks that inspire me. 


If you're not familiar with TED, it's a non-profit, non-partisan group whose goal is to spread ideas through short talks. The first TED conference was held in 1984, and the focus was on the convergence of Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Unfortunately, that conference was not monetarily successful, and a second conference didn't convene again until 1990. That time, the stars aligned and TED took off.

The talks now cover the gamut of topics and are easily available on YouTube or on the ted.com website. Browse their library to find talks that might appeal to you. This is how I found the 20+ on my own list. 

Here are my five favorites TED talks:

1) Elizabeth Gilbert: Your Elusive Creative Genius, recorded in 2009, runs 19:09 minutes. This talk inspires me when I'm defeated by rejection or feeling like creativity has left me for good. The story she tells about poet Ruth Stone at the 10:12 mark gives me goosebumps.



2) J.K. Rowling: The Fringe Benefits of Failure, recorded at the 2008 Harvard Commencement, runs 20:58 minutes. The amazing author of the Harry Potter series explains how failure helped her find her way as a writer, and how imagination is of crucial importance.



3) Adam Grant: The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers, recorded in 2016, runs 15:25 minutes. The original thinkers that Adam Grant refers to in his talk are from the business arena, but I think the three habits he identifies can be true for writers as well. He gives me hope as a moderate procrastinator. (Yes, I'm writing this post on Sunday evening for a Monday posting!)



4) Matthew Dicks: Homework for Life, recorded in 2015, runs 17:46 minutes. This talk introduces a strategy for collecting story-worthy ideas by taking five minutes each night to reflect and identify story-like moments that happened that day. 



5) Mac Barnett: Why a Good Book Is a Secret Door, recorded in 2014, runs 16:59 minutes. I have a serious mind-crush on Mac Barnett, and this talk captures his humor, intelligence, and passion about being a children's author.



Readers, do you have a TED talks that is your favorite? Please share the name of it in the comments below - I'd love to expand my list!