- Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand is one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read, and one of the few I’ve truly enjoyed. (I’m a fiction gal, what can I say?) So when I heard she was coming out with a new book, I wanted to know what it was about. I found my answer, and more, in this USA Today piece, which showcases both Unbroken and its author. Apparently Hillenbrand suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (a weak name for a serious disease). In her own words:
“I have an illness I cannot defeat, so I’m interested to see how other people have endured great hardship,” she says.
- In Glimmer Train, Kathryne Young reveals her insights “On Writing, Not Writing, and the Writing Life.” And it’s quietly brilliant.
We don’t “discover” our writing selves. We build ourselves into writers by realizing that our busy, imperfect lives are the writing life.
- Today I saved the best for last: “What I Really Want To Say To New Writers” by Natalie Whipple. Every. single. word. is genius. And applicable to writers at any stage, really. For example:
Finish the dang first draft. You can’t do anything else until you have an actual book to work with. There’s no sense worrying about publishing or editing until you’re done. Typing “The End” is just the beginning.
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Great links! I especially adore Natalie’s post. :)
Hmm, the last quote sounds like something I said to someone once…
Thank you for all these links!
finish the first draft… yes. need to get back there to my half way point before the unblogable year.
Thanks for tips, they all sound worthy of a read.
I usually find another site to bookmark when I stop by and today was no exception. “Typing “The End” is just the beginning.” perfect.
Awwwww…. I wanna type “the end”…
Glad everyone liked the links!
Sonja-
You must be wise. Hopefully the person you said it to, is as well…
Les-
You just did. {snicker}
I read Natalie’s post last week (clicked the link as soon as I saw it because I really want to know EVERYONE’S advice on writing if I can catalogue it all in my brain) and really loved it. Thought she hit on everything, as you point out.
The Glimmer Train article was great…I’m just glad I’m not having a four year dry spell…want to keep that in the past and keep plugging away.
I love catalogue-ing writer’s advice and methods too! Even if I’m starting to realize they aren’t a secret recipe. :P
I love Laura Hillenbrand, she is seriously amazing! Some great links, I enjoy writing but I’ve never been very serious about it. I’d like to get kind of serious, though. Thanks for the links :D
Great links! Did you see the Seabiscuit movie yet?
Lol “yet”? It came out like 10 yrs ago. :P Yes, I saw it, and I thought it was really good.