Sutter Communications

We’re wild about words!

Summer reading for writers: 4 recommendations

by Leave a Comment

books_writingVacation season is upon us, and besides packing a  good beach read, how about re-charging your writing batteries?

There are many ways to improve your writing, and a little continuing education isn’t hard to come by. Here are some of my favorite books on writing, in no particular order:

Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark:

I’ve learned a lot from Clark over the years, both through his books and by attending seminars at the Poynter Institute. Clark outlines each strategy in just a few pages, so you can easily read a few chapters over lunch.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White:

This classic is probably the most-read book on writing and it easily fits in your pocket or satchel. Who didn’t get their first copy in a high school English composition class? The “Approach to Style” chapter in particular resonates with me: “Write in a way that comes naturally. Write with nouns and verbs. Revise and rewrite. Do not over write.”

On Writing Well by William Zinsser:

I’ve had this book since college days and it’s the book I’ve recommended most often to high school and college students. I love what Zinsser says at the opening of Chapter 2, which is titled Simplicity. “Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon.” Amen.

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. 

The subtitle of this book is “Freeing the Writer Within.” This book is full of inspiration. Goldberg points out that just like running, the more you write, the better you get at it. As for running, “You practice whether you want to or not. You don’t wait around for inspiration and a deep desire to run…That’s how writing is, too. Once you’re deep into it, you wonder what took you so long to finally settle down at the desk.” 

So true for me.

So what are your favorite books about writing?

 

 

 

4 inspiring podcasts for writers

by Leave a Comment

I’m hooked on podcasts as a great way to inspire me to write, write and write until the prose is perfect.

elfI’ve discovered that there are some wonderful podcasts that feature a wide variety of authors. So when I’m toiling at the gym — lifting weights, struggling on a Nautilus machine, or huffing and puffing on those revolving steps — I take my mind off the pain by listening to some inspiration.

It’s fascinating to hear about how other writers approach their craft and talk specifically about books or songs or articles they’ve written.

Here are my go-to podcasts to hear a variety of authors:

Fresh Air with host Terry Gross:

Terry and her fill-in hosts often develop a great rapport with the authors they interview (and this podcast also features media stars, newsmakers, etc.) One of my favorite podcasts is a compilation of interviews with Pat Conroy (author of Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, etc.). Fresh Air produced it after Conroy died in March. You can listen to that one here.

Longform:

I learned about this podcast from WXXI journalist Veronica Volk one day when we were chatting. The hosts are Aaron Lammer, Max Linsky and Evan Ratliff. I love how they take a casual and enthusiastic (almost gee-whiz) approach to their subjects — all non-fiction writers (like me) — whom they often interview in their homes or offices. A couple that were especially insightful are with Cheryl Strayed (Wild) and Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray Love).

The Commonwealth Club:

The Commonwealth Club offers interviews and speeches from a variety of “thought leaders” before a live audience in San Francisco. I’m a fan of New York Times columnist David Brooks, so I recommend this podcast where Brooks talks about his book The Road to Character.

On Being With Krista Tippet: 

Krista Tippett’s weekly podcast offers a cornucopia of fascinating people, from Catholic monks to Jewish leaders to scientists to activists and on and on. Not too long ago, she interviewed Adam Gopnik, whom I know best as a New Yorker writer. Let’s not forget songwriters and composers are sources of writing inspiration either. This podcast with Bobby McFerrin is really special. And I became a fan of Roseanne Cash after hearing her talk about her childhood and relationship with her father, Johnny Cash.

What are your favorite podcasts? Do tell.