"After completing Bruce's Storytelling Workshop, we have the tools to truly captivate our audience. It is going to help our company tremendously."
- Jason Weaver, Branch Manager
LPL Financial Services
“I have already started to apply his tips to my presentations. Don’t miss him –- he is too much fun!”
- Ginnie Thomas, Health Advocate, H&RS, University of California at Santa Barbara
"It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Bruce Hale as a speaker, workshop leader, visiting writer, or any role remotely related!"
- Diane Mark, Creative Writing Program Coordinator, University of Hawaii at Manoa
"Provided a valuable perspective on building client relationships through storytelling. I learned new strategies that I want to incorporate into my insurance practice."
- William "Bud" Bridgers, President, NAIFA Santa Barbara Chapter
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My Favorite Books on Writing
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My Favorite Books on Writing |
Writers love to write about writing. (We find it fascinating.) Consequently, there are tons of books out
there telling you how to be a better writer.
Below, I've listed some of my favorites.
General
On Writing
Stephen King
Uncle Stevie explains it all. Highly readable, inspirational, and full of
great stuff. (Although, when I tried his
technique when writing a mystery, I got all fouled up. My fault, not his.)
Bird by Bird
Anne Lamott
Funny, wry, pithy.
Anne Lamott is someone who's been to the dark side of writing and
returned with helpful advice for all of us.
I especially like her chapter on "Shitty First Drafts."
Writing Down the Bones
Natalie Goldberg
One of the best for getting you to loosen up and write
instinctively. She's got a spiritual
approach to writing, but isn't too airy-fairy.
Technique & Genre
On Writing Well
William Zinsser
A great nonfiction craftsman. Zinsser came up with one of my all-time favorite
opening lines for an article: "I've often wondered what goes into a hot
dog. Now I know and I wish I
didn't." If you're writing nonfiction,
Zinsser is your man.
The Elements of Style
Strunk and White
Every writer's bible.
Although I suffered through it in high school English, as a professional
writer, I've found it holds much wisdom.
A bit fuddy-duddyish at times, but don't let that throw you.
The First Five Pages
Noah Lukeman
A handy, nuts-and-bolts guide to making sure the first five
pages of your story turn an editor on.
Identifies many common early-pages mistakes that can torpedo your
chances of publication.
How to Write a Mystery
Larry Beinhart
After I'd written several mysteries, I turned to this
book. I found plenty of handy information,
especially on the subject of narrative drive, the "engine" of a story.
Writing with Pictures
Uri Shulevitz
Although there are many excellent books on writing and
illustrating for children, this is one of my favorites in the picture book
category. Shulevitz shows how writing an
illustrated book is a whole ‘nother ball of wax.
Inspirational
Zen in the Art of Writing
Ray Bradbury
Such a great writer.
And the book is not only brimming with tales to inspire any writer, it's
beautifully written. Read it and see why
Ray is a master.
The Writer's Journey
Christopher Vogler
Inspired by Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, screenwriter
Vogler has come up with a mythically-themed book that is half about the writer,
half about the story.
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“Don’t get it right; just get it written.”
- James Thurber
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