Books for Creatives

I used to keep a list of the books I read. I don’t recall why I filled this little notebook*, because this was back in the ‘90s. I worked at a bookstore, and I was gobbling books up as fast as I could. Month by month, I chronicled the books I read and the ones I half-read.

Somewhere along the way, this practice ended. Perhaps I was more in love with the notebook than the process. I tried to pick it up again but it didn’t stick. One year, I used Goodreads as a place to chronicle my books, but that digital method didn’t light me up.

Now, I use my library reading history and my book group list as a partial way to keep track. I wonder what would help me get back into this practice? As a coach, I would ask:

• What’s important about keeping track of the books you read?
• What values are you honoring when you do this process?
• If it’s important to do this, what would make it easy to record the books you’ve read?

I haven’t answered these questions yet, but I wanted to share them with you for any habits you may have let fall to the wayside. If I were to resume, I would use this notebook, which I found on my shelves while searching the archives.

*I thought that aforementioned little notebook was right there on the shelf. I spent some time looking for it. Then I realized that I waste a LOT of time trying to find images to go along with these boosts. I decided you and I would both rather me spend my time writing and coaching and making things than search for photos. 😵‍💫

Coaching Paul Wyman was a joy. Paul, a seasoned coach, wanted to take a program he designed and make it into a book. When he came to me, he had done several drafts but didn’t feel able to pull it all together. Smart, accomplished and driven, he is like many of my clients who have a specific idea but struggle to organize it.

It seems counterintuitive that someone would have a model they teach, live programs that they deliver and a solid sense of their material – but still struggle to turn it into a book. But this is super common. Writing a book is its own animal.

But we did it. Paul was able to find time and space to bring his draft into finished form. I don’t often edit clients’ books, but Paul also hired me to edit his manuscript. Now, his book, Part of Me: Learn Who You Really Are, What’s Driving You, and How to Get Out of Your Own Way, is now available in paperback. Paul trains coaches in Inner Team Dialogue, and works with executives and leaders to help them understand themselves better.

It was such fun to work with Paul on this book and I am thrilled by how well it turned out and how quickly he brought it to the world. From the acknowledgement page of Part of Me:

A huge thank you to my brilliant writing coach and editor Cynthia Morris, for her unwavering support as I discovered my winding path to being an author. This book wouldn’t exist without her clarity, flexibility and insight.

About Part of Me

Based on the premise that we have many parts to our personality, Part of Me reveals not only answers what parts are, it reveals how they work, how they can help you understand your thinking, your emotions and your behaviors, and most importantly, how you can work with your parts to get out of your own way.

This book takes self-awareness to the next level. Fifty of the most common parts of the personality are profiled in detail, so you can identify which is most active in you, which is causing the problems you repeatedly experience, and what to do to get your Inner Team working for you, not against you.

In case you didn’t know this about me, I am a culture monster. I soak up movies, books, podcasts and TV shows like they’re a limited resource. Honestly, I relish my travel times because I get to be in the real world and dial back the gobbling up good stories.

The last two novels I read with my book group were outstanding! It’s rare to read such good books, the ones you can’t put down and then want to force on everyone you encounter.

North Woods by Daniel Mason is lovely, lovely, lovely. His writing is evocative and descriptive and brings so many emotions to the surface for me. Set on one plot of land in Western Massachusetts, this novel spans decades. We get to witness each inhabitant of the home come and go. This long view of time and nature somehow gave me hope. Beautiful.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver won the Pulitzer Prize in 2023, and I can see why. You might have heard how she modeled the story on Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. This is true, but it’s not a reason to read about a character growing up in Appalachia. I love stories that bring ‘issues’ to life. We all could use more empathy and understanding of the forces at play, and Kingsolver’s storytelling skills are at their finest here. She had me at the first line. “First, I got myself born.”

And here’s a random recommendation. I’ve watched it twice: The Old Man and the Pool by Mike Birbiglia. This Netflix comedy special has me obsessed. It’s a masterclass in humor and storytelling, especially about a very serious subject.

Mike’s use of repetition is masterful. Watch how he weavess one main idea and uses phrases repetitively for great comic effect. Also genius is his weaving and balancing of levity and seriosity. Mike does such a good job of speaking about his health challenges without insulting himself or leaning into self-deprecating humor. Also, his pacing is genius as well as his physicality during the show.

What great examples of storytelling do you recommend to me? Share them below. I’m looking for a good novel to bring with me to Lisbon and Paris. 

I feel like I shouldn’t say “I’m writing a novel.” The truth is, I am learning to write a novel. It’s been a long time since I wrote my first novel, and the world, and I, have changed.

There are so many resources for writers. I’ve been reading books and taking classes. Working through a novel gives me the chance to practice what I am learning immediately. It’s challenging, and I am grateful for all the resources that are helping me. A few of them are:

Books for novel writing

Jane Friedman hosts online classes for writers featuring different teachers.

Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin has been super helpful as I go through my first, super rough draft.

Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody offers a template for character arcs using beats.

Story Genius by Lisa Cron gives another method for ‘looking under the hood’ of the character arc.

Story Wheel is another character arc resource

What resources are helping you learn and create this summer? Share them here.

Last month, I had the great fortune to speak to a book club in Costa Rica about my novel, Chasing Sylvia Beach. I am so honored when people read (and like) my book. It’s fun to hear their thoughts about it and answer questions. 

When I published CSB, I focused on the themes of the book as a way to spread the word. I always want to know what’s going on underneath. 

Discussing the themes with the Costa Rica group was even more special. Sylvia Beach was an American who moved to Paris and refused to leave when the Nazi Occupation happened. I was obsessed with her in part because to live in another country is not easy. It’s a big choice and one that affects one’s life dramatically. 

We talked about being an expat, and I was able to hear about why and how these book group members had moved to CR. What values were they honoring? What was important to them? What did it take for them to live in another country. 

This conversation was rich, enlivening and fun. It was a great example of my belief that books are conversation starters. We can go beneath the surface of plot and story to delve into things that affect our own lives and move us. 

I hope the books you read and the conversations you have about them touch you in a meaningful way. If your book group reads historical fiction, give Chasing Sylvia Beach a read and invite me to join the discussion.

Leave your comments below.

Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Willams. I love historical fiction by women about women. Add a book about words and I am IN!

Matrix by Lauren Groff – This may be my favorite novel I read all year. I loved the writing and the story.

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich is a fabulous, rich pandemic novel. Set in Minnesota, I got a lot of insight about the Native community there.

In the Country of Others by Leila Slimani is a historical novel telling the story of a Frenchwoman married to a Moroccan and their life in Morocco. It’s the first of a trilogy and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Saved by a Song by Mary Gauthier I love the blend of memoir and how-to. This book shares what it takes emotionally to craft a good song. Loved it!

In Love by Amy Bloom may not seem like something you’d rush to read. But the story of how her husband chose to deal with early-onset Alzheimers was inspiring and taught me a lot.

Free Time by Jenny Blake gave me so many new ways to think about how I do my work. Super inspired, and my assistant Ulli and I had a mini-book group around this book.

Life Is Better When You Draw It by Koosje Koene will inspire anyone who wants to have more fun drawing. Koosje was one of my co-leaders on Paris Sketchbook, and I was delighted to get her book from her in person.

Movies and shows I’ve loved

Stutz On the flight home from London, I watched Stutz, which I’d downloaded on Netflix. This film by Jonah Hill introduces us to his therapist, Phil Stutz. I just loved this documentary. It gave me a lot of new perspectives on personal growth, plus tools I can use. I was inspired by Stutz, his life story and his belief that therapy should help the patient feel better right away. I don’t know if you’ll like this. But any time there is a therapist and patient relationship onscreen, I am riveted.

Blown Away Have I talked about this show? I never watch competition shows. But this one about glass artists totally sucked me in. There are three seasons plus a limited holiday season. The title is so perfect – I truly was Blown Away.

The Patient – I avoid shows and movies about serial killers, but this one starring Steve Carrell drew me in. I love shows about therapists (see Stutz above) so that got me hooked. This show gave me a lot to think and talk about but it’s not for the faint of heart.

What are your favorite books and movies from this year? Share in the comments below.

I succeeded with my novel goal! 50,201 words by November 30th. I wrote what I call a shaggy first draft. There are a few more scenes that I want to write. I printed it up and am reading through it, making notes for the second draft. I have no idea what will come of this project, but I’ve gotten a lot from doing it. I used NaNoWriMo some years back to draft a story of when I lived in Portugal.

This time, I had an experience in France that begged to be written. I did it, and I feel a shift in my creative agenda. I feel less focused on where a project will go. I am more in love with the feeling of engagement I get when I am working on a creative project. Even if it’s just for me, I get enormous joy from it.

One of the benefits for me of focusing on a project is I get to learn. I used two books to help me with this project.

Story Genius by Lisa Cron gave me a lot of insight into what makes a character compelling. Lisa wrote Wired for Story, so she uses neuroscience to help us understand what makes a story stick. She busted many myths about writing, including some that I teach others! I am always open to new perspectives, and I appreciated feeling like a student again.

Novelist as Vocation by Haruki Murakami was on a table in Foyle’s Books in London. It came with a free notebook, so of course I was drawn to it like a mouse to cheese. I’d read his book of essays about running and love his essay style. Reading this book was like having a wise mentor at my side.

What books have helped you write or create? Share your faves below.

You may know that I spend an inordinate amount of time with books. Reading books, reading ABOUT books, helping people shape their books, writing my own books, and going to the library every week to pick up more books.

I was delighted to be invited to a book club that had read my novel, Chasing Sylvia Beach. I drove into the mountains on a sunny afternoon for tea and book chat.

The big treat was that this group is an art book group. All the members are artists. So of course the food was artistic, the conversation was about art, and the home filled with art.

It was an honor to be invited and I’m always thrilled that people are reading my novel. I brought my fat binder of notes from my research at the Princeton Library.

But the best part of the day was when the host, Teri, mentioned that she has a huge collection of books on creativity. Can I see your books? I asked. You know how it is – you go into someone’s home and if they have a bookcase around, you can’t help but want to scan the titles. It’s like being able to Google someone’s brain.

She led me upstairs. Immediately I felt like I was in Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. It was a wonderworld of books. Teri has two studios connected by a hallway lined with books. One of the bookcases was actually a hidden door! She reached behind some of the books to open the door into one of her studios. Of course, I was all aflutter with booklust. So many books! So many questions!

Do you read all these? Yes.

When do you read? In the morning for an hour or two.

Do you make notes? Yes, in the margins.

Teri reads so much that she had to start a second art book group. She sent me the lists of the books both groups had read. Scanning the list, I felt the need to stop everything, set up the hammock, and get to reading.

I was so inspired that I adjusted my reading habits. I am often awake at 3 or 4 am, much to my frustration. Now, I take that as my reading time. I haven’t made the leap to write in the margins, but perhaps one day I will.

Are you this bookish? I love that I am still able to feel the excitement I felt as a girl at the library or bookstore. I love that books are such a great social object, connecting us to the author, to the author’s ideas, and to other readers across time and space.

Great book podcast

I was perusing podcasts the other day and discovered The Book Case. What a treat! This is a father/daughter team who interviews authors. They also speak with independent booksellers around the US to hear about their bookstores and what books they are loving. What a great idea – and so well done. I am listening to every episode and particularly loved hearing from Anna Quindlen and Jennifer Egan.

Check it out, book lovers!

What I’m reading

I am loving Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting by Mary Gauthier. Teri recommended it after I confessed that I long to write a song. This is the songwriting book I have been craving – one that addresses the personal and emotional chops required to write a good song.

I have another songwriting book on the shelf but I will wait until I’ve dived into it to recommend that.

That’s it, book lovers! Share your current book loves in a comment below.

Who would you be if you didn’t write?

I have been writing steadily since 1994. I’ve written poetry, plays, dramatic monologues, a novel, non-fiction books, short stories, video and podcast scripts, and articles about the creative process.

Can you even imagine who I would be if I did not have this inky channel to get my thoughts and feelings out onto the page?

I imagine a dark, crowded, cluttered garage full of unprocessed ‘stuff’ and unacknowledged ideas. I imagine I would be a very cranky, mentally and emotionally constipated person.

So of course I loved Nancy Slonim Aronie’s book Memoir as Medicine. I work with a lot of people who are writing pieces of their life story.

Most people want to get their experiences onto the page to help others. But in the process of writing their stories, they are transformed. Nancie’s book offers a great range of short, poignant exercises to help us come to the page with new eyes and fresh angles.

If you have been wanting to write your stories down to get them out and unclutter your inner landscape, Nancie’s book is a great resource.

You don’t have to want to write a whole memoir or book to use this helpful book full of prompts.

If you want to write, please do it. Make it easy on yourself to pick up a pen and ink your ideas.

I spend a lot of time with my notebooks and am a fan of dot grid journals. I consider my many sketchbooks, personal and professional journals to be my allies. My intimate thoughts, dreams, and drafts fill their pages. I have hundreds of notebooks I’ve filled since I dedicated myself to writing in 1994. You are welcome to call me a notebook geek – I do!

Over the decades, I’ve used many kinds of notebooks. My preferences include:

• dot or grid pages
• can fit easily in my bag
• has a spine that lays flat and can be folded over
• a cover that feels good to the touch
• paper that doesn’t bleed through
• a ‘thong’ or page holder (this one has two!)
• back pocket
• elastic band to keep the whole thing together.

My new favorite journals

Recently, an Atelier member gifted me with a journal from Zen Art Supplies. I loved the dot grid notebook the minute I touched the faux leather cover. Soft, supple, and smooth, this was a new ally I could see myself cuddling up with. I don’t call what I do bullet journaling, but if you do that kind of journaling, this is a great notebook for it.

There’s something about dot grid journals that gives both structure and space. Somehow, dot grid journals allow me to organize thoughts with just a hint of a line. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t like a totally blank page but can feel restricted by lines. Enter the dot grid to save the day!

Special touches make a difference for me. I love the patterns on the edges of the pages – a different Japanese icon for each color notebook. Some of the bonus elements of this notebook include:

• numbered pages
• front-of-book index
• acid-free paper
• gorgeous cover colors
• recyclable and biodegradable.

The index keeps me organized when life is full

I’m taking a lot of classes and making a lot of notes these days. The numbered pages and index are working great for me. I’m glad because I’ve never put this organizing principle to work until now.

Some people might call me picky. But I believe that an everyday, functional object should also be a thing of beauty. My notebook goes with me everywhere. I’m snuggled up with it in my studio every morning, recording my hopes, dreams, and tarot readings. My notebooks constitute a treasure vault, chronicling my life.

I must love every item that’s in my life. I love the ZenART art journal supplies so much, I am giving every member of my Atelier one. ZenART is a partial sponsor of the Atelier Kits. I know members will cherish their notebooks.

Affliate links are included in this article.