Books for Creatives

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.