Last April, while attending Jumping Tandem: The Retreat, I listened to Michelle DeRusha’s talk on writing and I don’t remember looking at her. Eyes were locked onto the notebook in my lap, my hand pushing ink fast on the pages. She was piquing my interest. My ears were doing some good work.

While Michelle shared her experience as a journalist and author, engaging conversation through writing prompts, my friend Lynn leaned into my shoulder and whispered, “Do you have that book she just mentioned.”

“No, I’m unfamiliar with that one,” I responded, shaking my head.

I wrote down the title and then something extraordinary happened.

After the workshop ended and the room swelled with conversation, Lynn turned to me and said, “Wait here a minute, I have something I want to give you.”

She came back with a gift-wrapped package from her suitcase. Something she’d picked out weeks earlier and carried from Missouri to Nebraska. It was the book Michelle mentioned in her talk, The Right to Write by Julia Cameron. It is now one of my favorites and has a permanent place on my writing desk.

And this is how I feel about books on writing. Each one is divinely appointed for a specific season or particular moment in my writing journey. They all hold unique voice and broad perspective when I’m stuck in a port hole. And most important, each one inspires creative growth.

I’m sharing books on writing that I return to often like wearing an old sweatshirt in air conditioning. Many are dog-eared and tattered and so comfortable, I can’t wait to sink into them.

rbwritingbooks

The Right to Write by Julia Cameron

Helpful, down-to-earth, full with creative thought and practical exercises. I took her advice of an artist date and it ended up being a divine appointment.

Walking on Water by Madeline L’Engle

This is a mainstay in my suitcase every summer when we travel to our cottage in Canada. I learn something new every time I read it. Her wisdom, honesty and insight are timeless and good reminders.

The Getaway Car by Ann Patchett

Kate Morton, one of my favorite fiction writers, recommended this one. She told me it was a quick read but worth it. And of course, she was right. Psst, it’s only $2.99 on Kindle.

The Memoir Project by Marion Smith Roach

I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve read this. It’s my absolute favorite, most helpful book on writing memoir. She is a genius, perhaps that’s why she’s made a career of teaching those who write in the genre.

Rumors of Water by L.L Barkat

I read this in two days, couldn’t put it down.  Barkat’s voice is hauntingly unique in a way that endears you to her stories and inspires you to write. Perhaps that why the subtitle is Thoughts on Creativity and Writing, ya think?

Writing About Your Life and On Writing Well by William Zinsser

When I was hired as a feature writer before I knew how to write features, I immediately bought On Writing Well and read it from cover to cover. It was my first “text book” on writing non-fiction and I still revisit the content seven years later. Writing About Your Life is an insightful, thought-provoking read on writing memoir, I highly recommend it.

Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott

I think almost every writer I know has this one on the top of their stack. I’m re-reading it now with new eyes. Her blunt honesty and self-deprecating humor about the highs and lows of writing is continually relevant and inspiring.

On Writing by Stephen King

It was this book that inspired me to make writing a discipline, not an afterthought or something I fit into the cracks of my schedule. While I’ve never read any of his books because I don’t like stories that make me fearful, King’s memoir on the craft gives an authentic glimpse into the essence of a writer that brings helpful perspective.

Join me next week for my favorite books on Sabbath. For previous posts in other genres check out these links:

Fiction — 8 Books I Can’t Put Down

Non-fiction – 12 Authors Who Influence Me

Memoir – 8 Memorable Memoirs that Move Me

What titles would you add to this list of books on writing?