With the holidays upon us I wanted to share some book suggestions for you or the writer on your gift list. I have found all of these books to be particularly helpful, as have many of my students.
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield. This book provides a battle plan to help writers combat the forces that conspire to keep us from writing. A field manual in courage and dedication. This is the only book I make all my students read.
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. In my opinion, anyone who wants to be a writer should be legally required to read this book.
Writing from the Inside Out: Transforming Your Psychological Blocks to Release the Writer Within by Dennis Palumbo. Written by a successful screenwriter who decided to become a psychologist in order to help other writers overcome their creative issues and demons. A true gift.
Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin. There are no secrets to screenwriting success. But if there were, one of the most important ones would be found in this book.
Adventures in the Screen Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood and Screenwriting by William Goldman. No must-follow rules or formulas. Just one of the best screenwriters of all time discussing screenwriting. When I was in film school this was a must read book. I hope that’s still the case.
Your Brain at Work by David Rock. This book offers pragmatic exercises we can do to create to the best of our abilities, and to get more done in less time. How cool is that?
Happiest of holidays,
Corey
Posted in Corey’s Blog | December 16, 2010
