Breathing In Breathing Out by Ralph Fletcher - My Notebook Breathes, Does Yours?

Pros: Very well-written and has plenty of good ideas.
Cons: Nothin'

The Bottom Line: Good ideas worthy of checking out, but see if your library has it first - especially if you already keep a notebook.

In 2010 I owned over 12 notebooks, practically all of them chock full of stuff. Some are random notebooks, other have specific purposes, and a few that were still empty. I don't know how many I have now. But at the time, to my utter delight, I got two free ones while buying my college books my last semester (still don’t know why, but I wasn't going to argue over glorious sheets of white, college-ruled paper). So I decided one of them should be my notebook for my Writing Seminar class.

Breathing In, Breathing Out by Ralph Fletcher was the book of choice for the class. It’s 94 pages (the last 5 pages just the bibliography and such). There are 16 short chapters discussing various topics of writing in a notebook. Some of these ideas include:

• Making lists
• Writing about the past
• Your notebook is a place for pieces to sit and “compost” (they hang out until you find ways to use them later if you’re so inclined to)
• It’s okay to write like crap in your notebook
• Go ahead and reread stuff
• Write down little facts, quotes from others, little things that act as triggers

Each of these ideas is unique, contains examples, and explained in a very clear-cut way that anyone can understand, but it’s done well so that it doesn’t sound at all like the author is talking down to the reader; his language use is very pleasant and you want to keep reading. I'm a fan of his metaphors.

Fletcher does a good job putting across exactly what he wants readers to get. He doesn’t push the writer to do anything; he just puts it out there for you to try in your own notebook. Anything to get you writing. If you don’t keep a notebook, or are thinking about getting one, I highly encourage you to do so, it’s really handy and fun, and I do recommend taking a peek at this book because it’s full of nifty tidbits you might never have thought of before.

That was my problem though. It says on the back, “This book is for new writers as well as those who may once have loved to write but have lost the spark along the way.” Um, well, I’m neither one of those. I’ve always had at least one notebook going. That and I do everything he suggests in the book. Ha! So in the end, though it was fun to read and think, “Cool, I already do that,” it wasn’t really of any help to me. But that’s a good thing for people who aren’t like me, haha. It really is a source of goodies for new and lost writers.

Ralph Fletcher also has a kid's version available (as this version is now out of print. Aww.)

NT

Notes from the playlist: "Like a Prayer" by Madonna

Recommended for Writers (who need inspiration)

Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Bud Gardener

I discovered this book one day while in the library looking up writerly things. This was actually years and years ago when I was just beginning to look up how to get published. I never knew they made a Chicken Soup book for writers and thought it was grand. I borrowed it, read it, and then went out and bought it. This book has been a great way to keep my spirits up whenever I get bummed about rejection. Positive stories remind me that everyone has gone through the same process. It is possible to get accepted somewhere. Writing is both a pain and a joy. Frankly, I think this book helped me even more to handle rejection. I already knew it was going to be a fact of life when it comes to writing, but this made it much easier.

So for any writers that need a boost or are feeling burnt out, try a bowl of Chicken Soup and see if that doesn't make you feel better.


Notes from the playlist: "Becoming One of the People/Becoming One with Neytiri" by James Horner

Recommended for Writers

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

Recommended to me by several other published writers, I finally bought this book and read through it. There are many great ideas within its pages for writers, from handing dialogue to avoiding needless junk. I've recommended this to other writers since then, and it has plenty of reason to be so popular. Likely another reason why it often ends up on the main tables at work. So the next time you're looking for a good book to help with your fiction writing, read through a few sections of this book and see if there aren't some ideas in there that you couldn't use.


Notes from the playlist: "Life Less Ordinary" by Carbon Leaf

Recommended for Writers (of everything)

Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White

A great little book for writers of term papers, fiction, and nonfiction alike, the Elements of Style has been recommended to students by professors and professionals ever since it's mass publication by E.B. White (yes, the E.B. White). Focusing on grammar hiccups and ways to improve your writing by making it concise and pop-off-the-page effective, it should be on every writer's shelf. Just remember one thing; this is a bit like the Pirates' Code. While everything in this book is a great idea, there are times during one's writing life when "them's more like guidelines than actual rules."

[What can I say? I love a good fragment.]

Read the Epinions review here!


Notes from the playlist: "Long Distance Runaround" by Yes

Recommended for Writers

Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan

While in the Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction program, I was in a class where this book was recommended for those looking to better their description. At the time, I was struggling with description and getting it *just right* so I bought this book.

Good recommendation! I now pass it on to you, other writers having trouble with description. Rebecca McClanahan offers up all sorts of good idea to use, as well as several exercises for some practice. She focuses on all the senses, from smell to touch, and points out different ways to get inspired as well. I read through the book, did some of the exercises, and am now much more confident in my description skills. Hooray! So for those needing an extra boost, crack this open, and get to work!


Notes from the playlist: "Forgiven" by Within Temptation

Recommended for Writers

A Writer's Space by Eric Maisel

It's a quaint book, small in size, and perfect to carry around with you if you're so inclined. Ideal for writers seeking new ways to find that perfect writing space, whether that space is mentally or physically. That's really all there is to it, but who knows? It may just remind you of that perfect spot that you used to have and since forgotten about. I used to write all the time the moment I woke up, right in bed. My bed was one of my prime writing spots and for some reason, I forgot about it. Upon reading this book, I rediscovered the glory of writing while tucked into my sheets, a lapdesk supporting my notebook and a pencil in my hand. It's hard to go wrong when the book is written by a man who swims in creativity and its processes - and when he encourages eating brownies.


Notes from the playlist: "Into the Night" by Santana [featuring Chad Kroeger]