Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!
The awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!
This month's question: What is your favorite writing craft book?
Kudos to whoever came up with this question. I have many writing craft books. Some have been great, while others were a waste of money. (Not because the book wasn't good, but it didn't help me.) Like much of the advice given to writers, you need to find what works for you. That's true of craft books.
My favorite craft book is Christopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. For years, Vogler's evaluated scripts for Disney based on Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey. Campbell came up with the progression that all heroes went though in ancient myths. Vogler makes understanding that journey easy.
If you've read my blogs, you know I love movies, especially action movies. I fell in love with Star Wars: A New Hope when it came out. No matter how many times I watch that movie (and it's many, many times), I get caught up in the story. Thanks to Vogler, I can see the steps the hero, Luke, goes through. The stories I write appear in my mind as a movie. Even before reading The Writer's Journey, it seemed instinctual to follow that format.
Years ago, I made a "template" of the hero's journey (according to Vogler). With each new story, I fill in the steps my hero makes on her journey. Whenever I get stuck, I go back to the checklist. Inevitably, I find that I've missed a step, causing the problem.
As many of you know, my writing journey pretty much came to a halt over the past year. Your supportive comments (and prayers, healing thoughts) have meant so much to me. That's what this group is all about--support for writers. We're all on the journey together. Sometimes, we're the giver, and other times, the receiver of support. I hope in sharing my favorite craft book that I've given back a little of the support you've given me.
Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.
