View source for Writing at JMRL

Article in [[:Category: Adult Nonfiction|Adult Nonfiction]], [[:Category:Young Adult Nonfiction|Young Adult Nonfiction]], [[:Category:Poetry|Poetry]] category.

=='''NaNoWriMo at JMRL'''==     

NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month, and takes place annually from November 1-30. During this time, writers can challenge themselves to write a novel (50,000 words or more) before the month is through. On their [http://www.nanowrimo.org website], writers can register for NaNoWriMo and have access to lots of great resources including coaches, reminders, word counts, and more, and can also get in touch with their local writing communities.  Below, check out some of the books NaNoWriMo.org recommends for getting you through your 30-day novel!

===NaNoWriMo Events at JMRL===

See the [https://www.jmrl.org/calendar.html JMRL calendar] for a current list of writing events.

===Books We Love: A Reading List from NaNoWriMo.org===

See this list on their website [https://store.nanowrimo.org/books-we-love]. 

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?artful+edit '''The Artful Edit: On the Practice of Editing Yourself'''] by Susan Bell 

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?essential+guide++eckstut '''The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published: How to Write It, Sell It, and Market It... Successfully!'''] by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry
:070.52 Eckstut
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?artist’s+way+Cameron+spiritual '''The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity'''] by Julia Cameron 
:153.35 Cameron

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?zen+in+the+art+of+writing '''Zen in the Art of Writing'''] by Ray Bradbury
:808.02 Bradbury
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?author’s+toolkit+embree '''The Author's Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing and Publishing Your Book '''] by Mary Embree 
:808.02 Embree
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?writing+down+the+bones'''Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within'''] by Natalie Goldberg
:808.02 Goldberg
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search~S9/?searchtype=X&searcharg=t%3A+on+writing+memoir++a%3A+king&searchscope=9&sortdropdown=-&SORT=DZ&extended=0&SUBMIT=Search&searchlimits=&searchorigarg=Xon+writing+memoir+king%26SORT%3DD '''On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft '''] by Stephen King
:808.02 King and 92 King, Stephen
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?bird+by+bird+lamott '''Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life '''] by Anne Lamott
:808.02 Lamott
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?you’ve+got+a+book+in+you+sims '''You’ve Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams'''] by Elizabeth Sims
:808.02 Sims

=='''Writing Groups at JMRL'''==

You can also find us on [http://www.meetup.com/creative-writing-at-jmrl Meetup.com]

===For Adults===
*'''Green Pen Poets'''
:Fourth Thursdays at 6:00pm (please see the [http://www.jmrl.org/pr-adults.htm current schedule] for specific dates).
:Northside's first poetry group! A supportive, fun, enriching critique workshop for adults open to poets of all levels. We will respond to one another’s work, share favorite poems by published writers, discuss the art and craft of poetry, and seek inspiration in each other and everywhere in our lives. If you love to write and talk poetry, please join us. Ages 18+. Email csmith@jmrl.org to register.

=='''Writing Resources:'''==

Below you’ll find some writing resources that you can use to help inspire your writing: 

===Books and Materials at JMRL===

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?write+that+book+already+barry+goldmark '''Write That Book Already: The Tough Love You Need to Get Published Now '''] by Sam Barry and Kathi Kamen Goldmark
:808.02 Barry

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?right+to+write+julia+cameron '''The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life '''] by Julia Cameron
:808.02 Cameron 
:A great way to become inspired to write by the author of ''The Artist’s Way''. Includes advice on writing, and prompts to get you started.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?writing+your+way+don+fry '''Writing Your Way: Creating a Writing Process That Works for You '''] by Don Fry
:808.02 Fry  
:Find your own process of writing to find a style that works for you, allowing you more creativity and productivity. 

*http://aries.jmrl.org/search~S9/?searchtype=t&searcharg=You+Can%27t+Make+This+Stuff+Up%3A+The+Complete+Guide+to+Writing+Creative+Nonfic&searchscope=9&SORT=D&extended=0&SUBMIT=Search&searchlimits=&searchorigarg=tYou+Can%7Bu480D%7Dake+This+Stuff+Up%3A+The+Complete+Guide+to+Writing+Creative+Nonfic '''You Can’t Make This Stuff Up: The Complete Guide to Writing Creative Nonfiction from Memoir to Literary Journalism and Everything in Between'''] by Lee Gutkind
:808.02 Gutkind 

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?you+wanna+be+a+writer '''So, You Wanna Be a Writer?'''] by Vicki Hambleton and Cathleen Greenwood
:808.02 Hambleton   
:Although geared toward teen authors, this book covers a lot of topics on writing in a short book, which also includes some great writing prompts. 

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?seize+the+story+hanley '''Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write''']  by Victoria Hanley
:808.02 Hanley 
:Not just for teens, this book is a great introduction to writing, from how to free your imagination to how to form characters, realistic settings, and understand plotting.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?advice+for+those+who+write+to+publish+higgins '''On Writing: Advice for Those Who Write to Publish (Or Would Like to)''']  by George V. Higgins
:808.02 Higgins 

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search~S9/?searchtype=X&searcharg=t%3A+rip+the+page+a%3A+benke&searchscope=9&sortdropdown=-&SORT=DZ&extended=0&SUBMIT=Search&searchlimits=&searchorigarg=Xrip+the+page%26SORT%3DD '''Rip the Page: Adventures in Creative Writing '''] by Karen Benke
:808.042 Benke
:A great way to think outside of the box and just start writing. Good for teens through adults.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?how+to+write+short+roy+clark '''How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times''']  by Roy Peter Clark
:808.042 Clark 
:If you want your writing to be more concise, or just prefer short forms of writing, this book has great exercises and advice on improving it.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?handling+the+truth+kephart  ''' Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir ''']  by Beth Kephart
:808.066 Kephart 
:Exercises to get you thinking about writing your memoir.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search~S9/?searchtype=t&searcharg=The+Poetry+Home+Repair+Manual%3A+Practical+Advice+for+Beginning+Poets&searchscope=9&sortdropdown=-&SORT=DZ&extended=0&SUBMIT=Search&searchlimits=&searchorigarg=Xessentials+of+screenwriting+walter%26SORT%3DD   ''' The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets '''] by Ted Kooser
:808.1 Kooser
:Good for beginners, this books offers great advice and inspiration on writing poetry.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?essentials+of+screenwriting+walter   ''' Essentials of Screenwriting: The Art, Craft, and Business of Film and Television Writing ''']  by Richard Walter
:808.23 Walter
:UCLA Professor Richard Walter goes over what goes into a good screenplay, including chapters on dialogue, character, plotting, format, and script sales.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?barbara+abercrombie+writing '''Kicking in the Wall '''] and [http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?barbara+abercrombie+writing  '''A Year of Writing Dangerously''']  by Barbara Abercrombie
:808.3 Abercrombie
:Both books have plenty of prompts and creative exercises that work for the creative fiction and nonfiction writing alike. 

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?first+draft+casey '''Beyond the First Draft: The Art of Fiction'''] by John Casey
:808.3 Casey

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?write+away+elizabeth+george '''Write Away: One Novelist’s Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life '''] by Elizabeth George
:808.3 George 
:Famed mystery writer Elizabeth George gives her take on the writing process and writing tips that she offers to students in her creative writing classes. 

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?novel+gerke '''Write Your Novel in a Month: How to Complete the First Draft in 30 Days and What to Do Next'''] by Jeff Gerke
:808.3 Gerke

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?novelist's+essential+guide+to+crafting+scenes+obstfeld '''Novelist’s Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes''']  by Raymond Obstfeld
:808.3 Obstfeld
:Learn how to make scenes memorable by using point of view, character and theme focus, how to structure a scene, and use setting to make your scene feel believable. 

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?writer's+digest+handbook+of+novel+writing '''The Writer’s Digest Handbook of Novel Writing '''] by editors of Writer’s Digest
:808.3 Writer’s
:A great handbook for general novel writing, with chapters by well-known authors.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?making+of+a+poem+boland ''' The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms '''] by Mark Strand and Eavan Boland
:821.08 Making
:A great collection of poetic forms with a background to each form, and examples of each, in addition to poetic devices commonly used in poetry, 

*'''Writer’s Digest Magazine''' is  [https://www.rbdigital.com/jmrlva/service/zinio/landing?q=writer%27s%20digest%2F%2F&p_num=1 available online] with  [https://www.rbdigital.com/jmrlva/service/zinio/landing?  Zinio] and at [http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?writer's+digest+periodical Central and Gordon Avenue Library].
:Check out current and back issues of Writer’s Digest magazine electronically to your mobile device using [https://www.rbdigital.com/jmrlva/service/zinio/landing?  Zinio] and your JMRL Library Card.  Or come into the [http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?writer's+digest+periodical Central or Gordon Avenue Library] to read the most current issue, and bring home the back issues for later!

Also see: [[Books for Teen Writers]]

===Great Websites for Writing Prompts===

=='''Publishing Resources'''==

Resources that cover self-publishing and traditional publishing.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?fine+print+of+self-publishing ''' The Fine Print of Self-Publishing: A Primer on Contracts, Printing Costs, Royalties, Distribution, E-Books, and Marketing '''] by Mark Levine

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?publishing+e-books+for+dummies ''' Publishing E-Books for Dummies ''']  by Ali Luke
:070.573 Luke
:Learn how to publish, market, and sell your own e-book.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?indie+author+guide+hamilton ''' The Indie Author Guide: Self-publishing strategies anyone can use ''']  by April L. Hamilton
:070.593 Hamilton
:This guide takes you through each step of self-publishing, from e-books to print on demand.
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?author+training+manual+amir ''' The Author Training Manual ''']  by Nina Amir
:808.02 Amir
: A great book that covers how to develop marketable ideas for books as well as how to prepare books that publishers will be interested in and how to self-publish effectively. 
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?insider’s+guide+to+publishing+comfort ''' An Insider’s Guide to Publishing ''']   by David Comfort
:808.02 Comfort
:An inside look at the publishing industry that will help aspiring authors navigate the pitfalls that many aspiring authors have navigated. Learn how to work with agents, publishers, and critics, deal with rejection and success, and navigate traditional and self-publishing.
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?writer’s+market+guide+getting+published  ''' Writer’s Market Guide to Getting Published '''] by the editors of Writer’s Digest 
:808.02 Writer's
:Information about market trends; guidelines to writing fiction, nonfiction or scripts that sell; marketing and self-promotion strategies; looking at self-publishing options; contract negotiation tips.


===Publishing Market Resources===

Note: Some items may not circulate. Check description in catalog to see if book is available for in-library use or for check-out.  If “R” comes before call number, that indicates it is in the non-circulating reference collection.

*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?guide+to+literary+agents  ''' Guide to Literary Agents '''] by the editors of Writer’s Digest  
:070.52 Guide
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?writer’s+market+digest  ''' Writer’s Market '''] by the editors of Writer’s Digest 
:029.6 Writer’s and R 029.6 Writer’s
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?poet’s+market+digest  ''' Poet’s Market '''] by the editors of Writer’s Digest  
:070.5 Poet’s
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?songwriter’s+market+writer’s ''' Songwriter’s Market '''] ed. of Writer’s Digest 
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?children’s+market+writer’s+illustrator’s ''' Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market '''] by the editors of Writer’s Digest 
*[http://aries.jmrl.org/search/X?novel+short+story+writer’s+market ''' Novel and Short Story Writer's Market '''] by the editors of Writer’s Digest 
:808 Novel



[[Category: Adult Nonfiction]]
[[Category:Young Adult Nonfiction]]
[[Category:Poetry]]