Write Your Essay III

I’ve enjoyed writing about writing this week, and I thought I’d wrap up the series with some reading recommendations (books on the topic of setting pen to paper). Some of these are well-loved; some are less obvious.

*Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott. The gold standard, the book Lamott was born to write. The title is from advice Lamott’s writer-dad gave to a child: “You’re writing a report on birds? Easy enough. Just take it bird by bird.”

*On Writing, by Stephen King. Book snobs tend to say—with a hint of condescension—that “this is the best book King has written.” I don’t know about that. I’m fond of “Joyland,” “Elevation,” and “Mr. Mercedes.” But “On Writing” is practical, passionate, and smart.

*To Show and to Tell, by Phillip Lopate. I’m not certain anyone reads this, but it’s about making art, and it is itself a work of art.

*I Can’t Complain, by Elinor Lipman. OK, many of these essays don’t concern the act of writing, but the ones about writing (choosing character names, working food into literature) are joyful and inspiring. Actually, the entire book is joyful and inspiring.

*Finishing the Hat, by Stephen Sondheim. SS is writing explicitly about his own lyrics, but he is also folding in “Writing Lessons.” Less is more. Let content dictate form. God is in the details. Say it again!

I’d happily re-read (or re-re-read) any one of these. This is a genre I really love.

P.S. Jennifer Weiner has a good, short, free essay on these topics--if you search on-line for "Jennifer Weiner website."

P.P.S. Francine Prose. "Reading Like a Writer." Another fave.

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