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| SPOTLIGHT
ON THE LIBRARY |
| November 19, 2002
Common, and not ultimately too helpful, advice on writing goes
something like this: "Write only to please yourself." While
that is true and ideal, in the real world of careers and interest in how
things work—process—I think most people might like a little more
detailed information. Writing and authorship is as individual a process
as anything I can think of, but there is some common ground. November
holiday observances include the first as National Author’s Day and the
David A. Howe Library has books, of course, but so much more available
to you to find out about other people’s writing and their stories as
well as information about how to do it yourself.
In On Writing: A Memoir (B K 587) Stephen King does readers
and writers alike a great service in writing about writing. Anyone
interested in King for his life and works will find his first section on
his personal journey as a writer fascinating. In a friendly,
conversational tone King rounds out his memoir on writing by giving
hints and advice for other writers just starting out with an eye on
being published. As you’d expect, there aren’t many dull moments in
this book by one of American’s most popular and prolific authors. |
This
"Spotlight on the Library" article was written by library
staff writer, Emily Barney. Articles are written and published monthly
in the Wellsville Daily Reporter.
Click on a
date below to read an article from the archive.
| November 19, 2002 |
| October 1, 2002 |
| August 12, 2002 |
| June 11, 2002 |
| May
21, 2002 |
| April
30,2002 |
| April
2, 2002 |
| March
5, 2002 |
| February
19, 2002 |
| January
22, 2002 |
| January
8, 2002 |
| December
25, 2001 |
| December
11, 2001 |
| November
27, 2001 |
| November
13, 2001 |
| October
30, 2001 |
| October
16, 2001 |
Click here to
read the Wellsville Daily
Reporter online
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| You can probably tell from the kind of books
and prestige that James A. Michener has received that The World is My
Home: A Memoir (B M 582 M) is exotic and very readable. Through his
research and life experiences Michener’s memoir is as engrossing as
his novels. From reading about his life and his writing approach—that
was so much a part of it—you’ll see that unique experiences create
the individual writer.
Ann Lamott is another well-known author who has chosen to make her
expertise available to the general public through her book Bird By
Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (CAS). In this audio
book Lamott reads her own story and insights into what it took for her
to succeed. Every writer’s story will be unique, but there are some
common themes and advice that could really help you begin to realize
your own writing potential and as always, Lamott will entertain.
As is generally the case, there is an abundance of sites and material
for writers available on the World Wide Web. One of the most helpful
sites for writers is Writer’s Digest (www.writersdigest.com). From the
home page the would-be writer can really connect with the writing world.
Advice is on every angle of writing; from publishing your material to
which magazines pay the most for printing submissions. Networking can be
valuable in any career so Writer’s Digest also provides lists of
up-coming writing conferences.
One important part of writing that shouldn’t be overlooked is how
to prepare the hard copy of your material. Although typewriters are
still used by some, a computer word processing program really makes
corrections so much less of a headache! The David A. Howe Public Library
has public access computers that have Microsoft Word programs installed.
Spell check and grammar check can make the writing process more
streamlined.
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CLICK
HERE TO SEARCH THE CATALOG FOR BOOKS ABOUT WRITING AND AUTHORSHIP
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A little research can go a long way toward helping you
realize your potential as a writer or to developing an appreciation of
authorship. Let the resources at the David A. Howe Public Library inspire
you. |
This page was last updated
September 22, 2005. |
