Happy IWSG Day! We’re together again for another blog hop. Sharing writing woes, highs and epiphanies. Bringing us together goes to ninja extraordinaire Alex Cavanaugh.
The awesome co-hosts for the July 7th posting of the IWSG are: PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!
Interested in joining us? Click on the badge above. Our Twitter hashtag and handle are #IWSG and @TheIWSG.
So what’s going on with me this month?
Well, this is the final month of my blogging break. After August, I’ll be back to my regular blogging schedule. Although I’m thinking of continuing to post once a month every IWSG Day from now on. Especially as NaNoWriMo 2021 will soon be upon me. And would like to get most of my edits out of the way before I preplot book 2. Then of course I’m counting down the days -cough,19, cough- until school starts.

August 4 question – What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?
I have three favorite writing craft books that I keep beside me. My number one favorite, and I have already written a blog post about it, is The Emotions Thesaurus. It’s written by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. It helps me to cut down on overusing cliches and words. As well as deepening my novel by not over relying on dialogue. By also using body language to tell the story. Love the thesaurus that I’d bought two more books from the collection. The Occupation Thesaurus and The Emotional Wound Thesaurus. Now I have five more to go before I own them all.
Another favorite is the Master Lists for Writers by Bryn Donovan. It’s similar to the The Emotions thesaurus as it’s another thesaurus. But it covers everything. Not quite sure how to describe a character’s eyes. It has a list of eye descriptions. Looking for different ways to describe a negative emotion. Besides using forehead furrowed. There’s a listing of varying body languages to describe anger, anxiety, sadness, etc. The book lives up to its title as it’s a master list covering emotions, traits, settings, plots and more.

Last but not least, Write Your Novel From the Middle by James Scott Bell. This is a favorite because when I first found it I thought where have you been all my life. I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo for years. It took me a while to realize that one of the reasons I didn’t make goal was because I faltered in the middle. When I figured that out, I always start writing from the middle. It helps me to flexibly change and further deepen my character(s) and theme(s) from my pre-plotting.

All in all, these books help me to better craft the story on paper. And getting it as close as possible as it appears within my imagination.

Credit image: Pixabay.com
What’s going on with you this month? Will you take part and already know what novel you’re writing for this year’s NaNoWriMo? Are you ready or have any worries about your children going back to school? What is your favorite writing craft book and why?

The Thesaurus books are great!
Enjoy your final month of freedom.
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They are great! I’m slowly buying them. I’m thinking about getting the rural and urban settings thesaurus next.
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I have all the Thesaurus books and love them. But my favorite is Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey.
Wishing you all the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
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That’s awesome you have all the books. Adding Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey to my TBR list.
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I wasn’t always into using craft books but since joining my writing group I’ve started growing a small collection. I currently have 2 of the ones you mentioned, The Emotion and The Emotional Wound one. I also have the Romance Your Plan and Romance Your Brand books by Zoe York. My issue with those is actually implementing the tips she gives. LOL
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The Emotion Thesaurus was the first book from the collection I purchased. Love how it helps to expand my emotional vocabulary. Or else I’d find myself overusing a lot of emotional descriptions without it. I’ll add those two to my TBR list although I’ll probably have the same problem implementing the tips.
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“Write Your Novel from the Middle” is a very intriguing title. I’ve read a few of James Scott Bell’s books and I always find them helpful. I’ll have to go check that one out.
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It’s very helpful. It goes as far to break down how to implement the tips based on what kind of writer you are. Whether you’re a plotter, pantser or like me a plantser. And does all this in about 90 pages.
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I forgot to mention Write Your Novel from the Middle on my post. I love that book!
And the List book sounds good. 🙂
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That’s why I had to mention it. Couldn’t imagine not including it in the post.
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Hi. These books look awesome. Im tempted. This is going to be my first attempt at NaNoWriMo. I have a basic plot outlined but I need to sit and sort out a lot. Starting from the middle looks interesting.
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If it’s your first NaNoWriMo definitely recommend getting “Write Your Novel From the Middle.” Believe it’ll be of help to you in getting through and meeting your NaNo goals. Good luck!
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Thanks Lidy.
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I love the Emotion Thesaraus too. Enjoy your blogging break.
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Thanks Natalie! I use the thesaurus so much the cover is starting to fray.
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Thanks. I’m adding to my list, and here I thought I had all the books. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
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Welcome. Glad to be of service.
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I am generating quite a writing craft booklist today, but these are at the top of the list! Thanks for the tip!
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You’re welcome Julia. Hope they’ll be of help to you as they are to me.
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Back to school really is the happiest time of the year! **slides across the room in an office chair, singing happy show tunes** I mean… An education is important.
I’m adding so much to my TBR list that I may never get through it all.
Happy IWSG day.
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Can’t wait for back to school. Would start singing about it and my boys would give me this disgruntled look. Two more weeks to go, woo-hoo!
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