Poetry Friday ~ Grace & Style

15 Nov

I’m always striving to be a better writer. My goal is to make sure my writing is the best it can be. I want every book I publish to be better than the one before.

Writing every day is a good way to realize my goals. Reading every day is also extremely important. I used to read only books in my favorite genres, but now I read books of all genres because I realized that they help with the different aspects of my writing. I used to read only books by famous, proven writers, but I’ve learned that there are excellent indie writers out there. I read more indie books than ever now and truly enjoy them.

I’ve also discovered some helpful and informative books that have helped me grow as a writer. I will be sharing some of those with you today.

Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of Stephen King’s critically lauded, million-copy bestseller shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work.

DeSalvo describes the work habits of successful writers (among them, Nobel Prize laureates) so that readers can use the information provided to develop their identity as writers and transform their writing lives. DeSalvo skillfully and gently guides writers to not only start their work but immerse themselves fully in the process and create texts they will treasure.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White is a classic. Reviews all those rules you should only break if you have a really good reason.

Good Prose—like Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style—is a succinct, authoritative, and entertaining arbiter of standards in contemporary writing, offering guidance for the professional writer and the beginner alike. This wise and useful book is the perfect companion for anyone who loves to read good books and longs to write one.

There are of course many more writing books out there but these are informative and beneficial to new writers as well as experienced ones.

I write from the heart
Through the darkness of genres
I purge my sorrows

To all my writing friends participating in NaNoWriMo Happy Writing and may the Muse be with you!

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49 Responses to “Poetry Friday ~ Grace & Style”

  1. John W. Howell November 15, 2019 at 3:45 pm #

    Excellent post, Vashti. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Olga November 15, 2019 at 4:23 pm #

    Hi Vashti. I think that last visual also applies to poetry when a writer reveals “the secret of my thinking” in metaphors and overtones of his/her truth. Enjoyed your post. 🙂

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    • Vashti Q November 15, 2019 at 6:24 pm #

      I agree, Olga. I’m happy you enjoyed the post. Thank you and have a lovely weekend! 😀 xo

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  3. olganm November 15, 2019 at 4:23 pm #

    Thanks, Vashti. There’s always something new to learn, and I totally agree with the importance of reading in a variety of genres, and thank you for the recommendations. Enjoy the weekend!

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    • Vashti Q November 15, 2019 at 6:26 pm #

      Hello, my friend! You’re most welcome. I’m glad we agree. Thank you! You have a great weekend too. ❤

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  4. trentpmcd November 15, 2019 at 5:00 pm #

    Great post. Did you ever read Ursula Le Guin’s “Steering the Craft”? I read it last winter and it is by far my favorite writing book (sorry Stephen 😉 ).

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    • Vashti Q November 15, 2019 at 6:28 pm #

      Really? Oh, I’m going to have to get that one. I love Ursula Le Guin. Thanks for the recommendation, Trent. Have a terrific weekend! 😀

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      • trentpmcd November 15, 2019 at 6:56 pm #

        She is a great author. One of the great things about the book is that she gives writing exercises. As you said, part of becoming better is to actually write, so this is both halves – reading her ideas and writing to practice them. Have a great weekend!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Vashti Q November 16, 2019 at 10:55 am #

        I’m going to get this book, Trent. It sounds amazing. Thank you! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      • trentpmcd November 16, 2019 at 11:38 am #

        You won’t regret it 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Bette A. Stevens November 15, 2019 at 6:10 pm #

    Excellent picks, Vashti! They’re all on my shelf. Sharing and wishing you a Happy NanoWrimo!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q November 15, 2019 at 6:31 pm #

      Hi, Bette! That’s wonderful! I’m not participating in NaNoWriMo I just know a lot of writers that are. Have a happy weekend, my friend! ❤

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  6. Annette Rochelle Aben November 15, 2019 at 7:28 pm #

    You write with true grace and style!

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Miriam Hurdle November 15, 2019 at 10:03 pm #

    Great choices of books on writing, Vashti. I have quite a few also. Some read like text books, some are succinct. I believe readers should get the best writing possible. I enjoyed your poem. 💖😇

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  8. rebeccalee November 16, 2019 at 4:08 am #

    Great thank you for sharing these books! I have just finished Stephen King’s, on writing and as a new writer I found this so helpful! I am going to look into these other books. Thanks again.

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    • Vashti Q November 16, 2019 at 10:58 am #

      Hi, Rebecca! I’m so happy I could be of help. That’s great! Wishing you all the best!

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  9. Jan Sikes November 16, 2019 at 7:42 am #

    Those are excellent resources for writers, Vashti, and I loved what you said about striving to be better with each book! That is what we should all strive for! Well-said!

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  10. yvettemcalleiro November 16, 2019 at 7:47 am #

    A great writer is a writer who is always looking to improve his/her writing. Thanks for the resources! 🙂

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    • Vashti Q November 16, 2019 at 10:44 am #

      I agree, Yvette. I don’t think as writers we ever stop learning and improving. 😀 xo

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  11. robertawrites235681907 November 16, 2019 at 12:03 pm #

    All great reads, Vashti. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. coldhandboyack November 16, 2019 at 1:26 pm #

    Your philosophy reflects my own. I hope each book is better in some way than the one before it. Some of my early stuff is rough around the edges, so I know improvement happened. My goal is to keep making small improvements for as long as I’m capable.

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    • Vashti Q November 18, 2019 at 2:56 pm #

      I’m so happy to hear that, Craig. Although, I had already imagined you were that way. I believe that every time we write a story, we improve somehow. I always wondered why writers like Stephen King, Anne Rice, and others had several editions for each of their older books. Now, I think I know why. 😉

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  13. dgkaye November 16, 2019 at 5:19 pm #

    Well done Vashti. And thanks for the recommends. I of course read King’s and Strunk’s but the others are new to me. 🙂 ❤ Happy weekend! xx

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q November 18, 2019 at 2:50 pm #

      Hi, Debby! You’re welcome. Those are great books, and if you liked those, you’d probably enjoy the other two as well. You have a lovely new week, my friend! ❤ xo

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  14. Natalie Ducey November 17, 2019 at 10:56 am #

    A fabulous share, Vashti! Thank you, my friend. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q November 18, 2019 at 2:48 pm #

      Hi, Natalie! Thank you. You have a great new week, too! 😀 xo

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  15. Colleen M. Chesebro November 18, 2019 at 11:24 am #

    I love your Friday posts, Vashti. You’re amazing. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. merrildsmith November 18, 2019 at 5:34 pm #

    Thanks for sharing works that have helped you. 🙂
    “Soft hands of the night” is lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. memadtwo November 18, 2019 at 6:34 pm #

    What beautiful expressions of your writing Vashti. and thanks for the book reviews too! (K)

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q November 19, 2019 at 4:53 pm #

      Hi, Kerfe! Thank you. I highly recommend these books to all writers. Congratulations on the special mention for “Poet of the Week” on Colleen’s blog. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Priscilla Bettis November 19, 2019 at 10:25 pm #

    I’ve never seen The Art of Slow Writing. It’s on my TBR now. Thanks.:-)

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    • Vashti Q November 22, 2019 at 12:08 pm #

      Hi, Priscilla! The way some writers publish a book every other month I was beginning to think I was doing something wrong. Of course, every writer is unique and has his or her own writing process, but this book made me feel like I was doing it right. Thank you! I’m glad you bought it! I hope you like it. 😀 xo

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  19. Annika Perry November 20, 2019 at 4:12 am #

    Vashti, a timely post for all writers out there! 😀 My copy of Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’ is well-thumbed and full of notes sticking out … great advice I found and what a story about the writer himself. Thank you so much for sharing these writing books with us and I’m taken with one in particular. Maybe it is generally being nosey, but I’m always interested in how other writers work so De Salvos’s Book is going straight in my Christmas list! Happy Writing, my friend! 😀❤️

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    • Vashti Q November 22, 2019 at 12:14 pm #

      That’s funny, Annika, because it’s pretty close to the reason I purchased the book too. Like you, I’ve always been curious about other writers’ writing processes. I think you’ll enjoy it. Thank you and Happy Writing to you, too, sweet lady! ❤ xo

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  20. Lita Love hard December 1, 2019 at 8:52 pm #

    Hi. I’m new to the scene and trying to get familiarized with the writing world. Your post is the first I actually looked at and feel great. Thanks. Is it possible to post some of your writings and thoughts on my page?

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    • Vashti Q December 2, 2019 at 3:04 pm #

      Hi, Lita! Yes, of course. Feel free to reblog anything you like. I appreciate you sharing my work. 😀

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