Unpack “Craft” To Boost Your Career
One question I surprisingly get asked is if I read a lot. Uhhh, ABSOLUTELY. Not only because many authors are also voracious readers, but also because I teach a variety of classes throughout the year for writers at various stages in their career journey. Writers are often encouraged to seek out comp titles in the styles and genres they are most interested in. However, it can be equally beneficial for our creative process—as well as publishing or freelance goals—to seek out mentor texts on craft.
The other BIG benefit to this method of professional development is that it is immensely accessible in terms of time and money. Reading nonfiction books like this allows us to keep growing and learning whenever our schedules (and budgets) allow. So even if you may not want to make one of my recommendations below a permanent addition to your bookshelves, request a copy from your local library system. Here are a few of my faves (atm), which I have organized based on subject matter.
The Kryptonite to Creative Blocks
TOP PICK:
The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
A 12-week program of generative exercises to ease you back into the habit of doing the work (a.k.a: WRITING). I had been hearing about this book for years, but didn’t actually crack it open for the first time until February 2020. Which turned out to be quite serendipitous since one month later, we were all ordered to stay “safer at home” due to the global pandemic. The array of activities Cameron included were a much needed distraction—plus provided prompts that kept me consistently writing during quarantine.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert does an excellent job explaining why none of us should hit the snooze button (or at least, not for too long) on our creative consciousness. And yes, we all have one. The trick is training yourself to keep it unmuted.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
I am currently in the process of listening to this audiobook. I like hearing how other artists approach their primary form of expression. And since Rubin has a long history of collaborating with an eclectic assortment of musicians, I’ll likely be pausing the narration often to jot down the insightful reflections he shares.
1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg
I requested a copy of Attenberg’s latest release from the library within days of it coming out a few weeks ago. Here’s hoping once it’s in hand, it will provide fresh inspo for all the submission and revision deadlines I have to meet in the months ahead.
The Business Side of Writing
TOP PICK:
Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living edited by Manjula Martin
When I first came across this book (on a library display table) six years ago, little did I know how much of a balm it would be to my tender writer’s heart. Despite being an editor at a women's lifestyle magazine, I was struggling in every other aspect of my creative life. I was ready for MORE, but literally had no idea how to get there. Plus I had gotten out of practice in regard to dealing with rejection. Publishing a book seemed so far out of reach, thus stumbling across this collection of essays that includes candid reflections from well-known authors such as Alexander Chee, Roxane Gay, Cheryl Strayed and Jennifer Weiner was the down-to-earth encouragement I needed to not give up on my dreams—or myself.
Welcome to the Writer’s Life by Paulette Perhach
When I teach intro to freelance writing courses, this is the most comprehensive guide in print that breaks down how to generate a liveable wage as a writer. The paths are many and Perhach provides a comprehensive view of potential options, in addition to other resources such as reading lists, time management tips and advice on whether or not to pursue an MFA.
Will Write for Food by Dianne Jacob
Want to get paid to eat? Then you will be pleased to find out that much of the expertise Jacob poured into each chapter from her career—and several other successful culinary writers she interviewed— is still relevant today.
DEI (or lack thereof) Behind Your Words
TOP PICK:
Craft In the Real World by Matthew Salesses
In my opinion, there are few books that I could passionately assert that every writer should read. But this craft text by Salesses is on that extremely short list. I reference a passage or implement tool that he included at least once in almost every course I have taught in the last three years. Salesses is particularly adept at making you step outside the repetitive, narrow approach to storytelling those of us who grew up in Westernized countries have been indoctrinated to adhere to.
Appropriate: A Provocation by Paisley Rekdal
Formatted as an expository letter from a professor (Rekdal) to an anonymous student, the subject of cultural appropriation in literature (plus written and verbal critique) is examined from historical and contemporary perspectives. A compelling discourse—even if you are far removed from the world of academia.
Teaching Black: The Craft of Teaching on Black Life and Literature edited by Ana-Maurine Lara and drea brown
A much needed “how to” on expanding your personal—and professional (for those of us who are educators)—canons to include prose and poetry written by Black writers. Read this anthology of essays to learn how to spark better-informed and less biased discussions about literary work produced by, and about, Black communities. And as an aside, two books that approach similar themes in the context of Black writers examining identity through their own writing are “Black Women Writers at Work” (edited by Claudia Tate) and “How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft, Practice, and Skill’ (edited by Jericho Brown and Darlene Taylor).
P.S. BIPOC Writers—check out our Writers of Color and Indigenous Writers workshop series!
Upcoming classes: hone narrative construction with David Mura (3/2 in-person), find community in lit mags with Halee Kirkwood (3/5 & 3/12 in-person), use tarot imagery for intuitive poetry with Sun Yung Shin (4/18 & 4/25 ONLINE), resist the border with Victoria Blanco (6/12 & 6/19 in-person), and revolutionize your fiction with Taiwana Shambley (7/10 & 7/17 in-person).