As a writer/blogger, I try my very best to write every day. Even though I don’t publish a blog post or work on articles every single day, I do make a point to write often. A lot of what I write isn’t actually for anything. It is just me writing for the sake of writing. I do so to get better at what I do. A common piece of advice for writers is to read regularly, but writing regularly is equally important. Stephen King said “if you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” Here are some inspiring books that will have you doing both. They have helped me along my tea blogging and writing journey.
Inspiring Books for Writers/Bloggers
Whether you’re a blogger (of any kind, not just tea) or participating in NaNoWriMo I hope these reads will keep you on track!
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
You know when you pick up a book that seems like it’s going to be life changing but ends up being so dry and difficult to get past the first few pages? This book is anything but that. I initially picked it up because I skimmed some chapter titles that peaked my interests (i.e. Writing is Not A McDonald’s Hamburger and Nervously Sipping Wine). The main takeaway is to make time to practice writing, just like you would make time to practice anything else as practice makes perfect progress.
This is the one book that I am constantly picking up and referring to certain sections for quick advice and inspiration. I appreciate that it is straight to the point and doesn’t focus on bad writing, only good. When we focus on good, good is more likely to happen.
My favourite part of this read is when the author connects writing with Zen practices. You don’t have to read between the lines to understand the true messages inside these pages.
Favourite Quotes:
“Don’t cross out. (That is editing as you write. Even if you write something you didn’t mean to write, leave it.) Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, grammar. (Don’t even care about staying within the margins and lines on the page.) Lose control. Don’t think. Don’t get logical. Go for the jugular. (If something comes up in your writing that is scary or naked, dive right into it. It probably has lots of energy.)”
“If every time you sat down, you expected something great, writing would always be a great disappointment. Plus that expectation would also keep you from writing.”
On Writing by Stephen King
This book is a mix of an autobiography and writing advice. Stephen King takes readers into his world of writing and techniques he has learned along the way. He also shares stories from his life that have contributed to his path today.
The main message is to stop worrying and do it. Don’t wait around for the perfect writing retreat to finish your manuscript. Don’t wait around for a schedule that will allow for more free time to write. Don’t wait around for the perfect plot idea. Sit down at a desk and get writing. Make time, even if you think you’re too busy. Simply just begin and you’ll get your story.
If you’re looking for a book that will give you a look into the mind of a very successful writer, and lessons to one day be published, you’ll want a copy of this one.
Favourite Quotes:
“Sometimes you have to go on when you don’t feel like it, and sometimes you’re doing good work when it feels like all you’re managing is to shovel shit from a sitting position.”
“The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.”
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
This is a book that is not just for writers, but for anyone who creates (aka everyone). Elizabeth says if you’re alive, then you’re a creative person. This book speaks a lot about done being better than good, and taking ideas and making something from it before they escape and go to another creator.
My biggest takeaway from it is to forget the outcome. If you’re an artist, don’t always think about how much you need to sell one painting to make next month’s rent. If you’re a blogger, don’t always think about how quickly you can monetize to make extra money. Don’t put pressure on your creativity to keep you financially stable. Do something simply because you love it. Elizabeth shares that she actually didn’t quit her day jobs until her fourth book became a bestseller.
This book serves as a reminder that whether you’re making money from your art or not, you’re still an artist.
Favourite Quotes:
“There’s no dishonor in having a job. What is dishonorable is scaring away your creativity by demanding that it pay for your entire existence.”
“Your life is short and rare and amazing and miraculous, and you want to do really interesting things and make really interesting things while you’re still here.”
Want to read one or all of these books? Pin this post for later here –> https://bit.ly/2A5Hgam
*What books have inspired my tea journey? Check out this interview where I reveal 3 books that have helped me on this path.
**If you’re looking for tea related book recommendations, check out my favourite educational tea books here.
Have you read any of these books? If you have another writing-related read to recommend, please let me know in the comments below!
I loved Writing Down The Bones. It gave me such a new perspective on writing. I should read it again. Of course I have Steven Kings book On Writing. But I wasn’t aware of Elizabeth Gilbert’s book. I’ll have to read it. Another really good book on writing is Bird by Bird. Thanks for the list!
I will be putting Bird by Bird on my list. Thanks for the recommendation, Mary Ann! Hope you enjoy Big Magic 🙂
I really enjoyed this post and all three of these books are going on my (ever so long) TBR list. LOL I also believe that making your creativity pay for your existence just stiffles the ability to create also and once I stop just loving creating then I know something has went wrong and it’s time to correct it. I fund my creativity with a part-time job and it takes A LOT of the pressure off. And it is really scary to write! Why???? I hate that! LOL Thanks again LuAnn, another wonderfulm post!