Turn the Page Blog
Thoughts, Musings & Advice on All Things Writing
Why did I choose these books? You've heard me talk about some of them before, but there are some of the reasons:
· They have twists, turns, reveals, and reversals that completely surprised me
· They have compelling characters
· Their pacing and plotting is top-notch
· The vibe - the "feel" of book is unique
· They are fun homages to bookstores, classic authors, etc.
This week I’m talking about another favorite American author of mine, Joan Didion. She frequently explored themes of loss, identity, and alienation in her work, all universal human experiences that resonate with readers. Known for her distinctive literary style and insightful observations, aspiring authors can learn countless lessons from her work. Here are just four of those:
Pat Conroy’s writing style is/was descriptive, evocative, and lyrical, and it allows you to vividly imagine the landscapes, characters, and emotions he is depicting. He had a talent for capturing the beauty and complexity of the southern United States, and his descriptions of its people, culture, and history were both nuanced and powerful. His gorgeous descriptions of Charleston and Beaufort inspired me to make those stops on my first ever solo trip, and I'll forever be drunk on the memories of walking along the marshes on hot summer nights, the Spanish moss draping over the tree branches, just as he described.
Handling criticism can be challenging for many people, especially authors. It can be heartbreaking to pour blood, sweat, and tears into your book and have someone tell you it needs work. Unfortunately, though, this is all part of the process.
Criticism never gets easy, but if you can figure out how to handle it better, you can learn a lot from the process. Read on for some of the best ways to deal with criticism.
Whether you're writing a book, a journal, a blog, or simply a list on a notepad, taking the time to write can be a powerful way to promote self-reflection, mindfulness, and personal growth. Writing reduces stress, boosts your mood, improves mental clarity, strengthens your relationships, and enhances creativity.
Today's book review: Mrs. Mike, by Benedict and Nancy Freedman
This book taught me everything about making someone's (true) story accessible to readers. Katherine and Mike were sympathetic, enjoyable characters, for sure, but they were terrific guides into the world of wild Canada, somewhere I had certainly never been. The minor characters are even more enjoyable. Reading this book teaches you about so much, but it is written in such a beautiful way that you feel like it was a story made up just for you.
You just never know where your “big break” will come from as an author. Maybe it will be a book review, maybe it will be a chance encounter with a literary agent, maybe it will be a phone call made on your behalf. Who knows? The secret is to not depend on that big break, but rather to focus on doing the legwork to get yourself there.
As a business owner you should be consistently evolving, staying relevant and finding new ways to grow your business, image and brand. There are plenty of “quick fixes” that can be accomplished, giving your profits a temporary boost, but don’t you want to do something that will have a lasting impact on you and your business? It’s time to write a book.
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