Thank you for this. A mutual friend pointed me to this post. I did not know you mentioned me. Thank you for that. What you say about writing that takes your breath away, E. Lily Yu speaks of this in Break, Blow, Burn and Make. She says the difference is that this sort of writing is infused with love. I haven’t read that far in the book but find myself nodding along. May my writing be infused with love.
I have been a graduate student (in theology), blogger, and freelance writer at different points in my life. I don’t currently write with any frequency, but I concur with everything you said above about recognizing good writing and improving your own. The writers I most admire are Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI (I can’t think of any theologian who writes with as much clarity and beauty), Rumer Godden, and CS Lewis. Book I wish I had written: In this House of Brede by Rumer Godden.
I’ve come into a writing rhythm later in life. No English degree to my name—no college degree at all, actually. But I’ve read voraciously ever since I was six, and I especially resonated with reason #2. Looking for beauty feels more and more like a superpower these days!
Writing role models: Ann Lamott, Barbara Kingsolver, Jen Wilkin (there’s no rule against eclecticism, right?!😅)
This is so lovely--thank you for sharing, Cathy! Definitely no rule against eclecticism--in fact, if one were to set any rule, it would be a rule to require eclecticism in reading/writer models. Also, you're the second person to mention North Woods to me in the past couple of weeks. Just put it on hold at the library.
Love this. C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton are two writers who seem to have captured the joy and beauty of life in their words. I look up to them a lot in my own writing!
I have come to believe the way I was taught to write, while not unusual, was just awful and gave me some bad habits. On the bright side, homeschooling is giving me a chance to work on that while teaching the kids - it feels like building the ship while sailing it, but that often seems true of family life.
I love a lot of 19th century prose that seems totally overdone to people now - Ruskin and Newman probably at the top of the list. Among 20th C historians, I really admire Edmund Morgan as a writer - I'm having my 16yo read his classic article "The Labor Problem at Jamestown" next week and am really looking forward to it myself.
Having had the privilege of editing an essay of yours on one occasion, Sara, I will say that you are an exceptionally polished writer. So, whatever you've been doing is working!
I loved this section: "Improvement takes time, growth, and maturity. Writing is an art, and one cannot will art out of thin air at the snap of one’s fingers. This is a process." I'm in the beginning stages of this process. I found this relatable and encouraging. Thank you!
So glad this was encouraging! Good luck--the beginning stages feel... uncomfortable at times. And then one day you will realize that you're no longer in the beginning stages of this process, and that will feel quite good. It took me a solid couple of years.
I used LePeau’s book as a text in an introductory creative writing class for the first time this past spring. I wish his book had some discussion of more types of writing, such as poetry, but I loved his thoughts on developing your creativity and thinking about writing/life from a spiritual perspective.
I spent 10 years reading aloud to my kids before ideas and the will to write arose in me again. All of the excellent children’s literature we have read together has contributed to who I am today and, I hope, will make me a better writer as I increase my writing practice. Looking forward to this series!
I love this so much--we homeschool, and this is still very much my life. The Little Prince or We're Going on a Bear Hunt dwell side-by-side with the latest theology or history tomes. And I find my creativity much enhanced as a result.
Nadya, thank you for this essay; the second one I've read today about the need for writers to be reading to improve their work. As a poet and writer here on Substack (and my blog 12 years prior to that) it's interesting/odd to me how many people, especially those who pursue the poetic form, say they don't actually read other poets. The inspiration alone in other work is an education in itself....
I am currently reading Robert McFarlane's "Landmarks," not poetry but a remarkable homage to the importance of keeping words alive.... Not only homage but a clarion call as well.
PS Shemaiah and I are IRL friends and her work and friendship are an inspiration to me both. (I was also privileged to be part of KSP's interview series--there was so much gold there!)
KSP's interview series was fantastic all around--I enjoyed reading about your own journey as well. Every story in the series was very different, a reminder that there's no "one size fits all" to writing and publishing life.
Ann Patchett’s essays, particularly those in “This is the Story of a Happy Marriage” are a masterclass in essay writing. And for fiction, I think it’s hard to beat Greene or Waugh.
For technical works, I do feel like Strunk & White should be on every shelf (even if one is going to break with custom! It must be deliberate and not accidental, in my view.)
Glad you’re running this series! I look forward to it.
I was heartened to see my older son fold a volume of Strunk & White into his new book bag at Sewanee where he is a freshman. My favorite writing teacher had told us no-one likes it any more. I'm a voice teacher and quote them in most initial lessons: "If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loudly!"
First of all, wish I could commit to the launch team, but I have my own book about to release, so this autumn isn't good for me. But I would still like to support you in the future if possible.
Second, all your observations here seem spot on to me. It might be somewhat encouraging that I often did not complete all the required reading in college, but still ended up as a life-long reader and writer. As with many people, it took me a little longer to realize just what I wanted out of life. But I particularly concur with your point about reading widely. One writer whose prose I really appreciate in terms of its engaging qualities is the historian Tom Holland, who I've been fortunate to get to know just a bit. He and his podcasting co-host, Dominic Sandbrook, have convinced me of the power of narrative in teaching people about history. Rather than simply describing all the ins and outs of a war, also pick a few individuals whose stories you return to regularly, letting people see how the events are impacting their lives. But in terms of fiction, I've recently listened to a few of Graham Greene's so-called Catholic novels (my current life situation makes audiobooks ideal), and his background writing spy thrillers is clear. He is able to deal with complicated philosophical issues and still keep the reader engaged. So, that is perhaps an inspiration for me in writing fiction, though I'm not trying to copy him.
Excellent points all around, Amy! I particularly love this point: "It might be somewhat encouraging that I often did not complete all the required reading in college, but still ended up as a life-long reader and writer. As with many people, it took me a little longer to realize just what I wanted out of life. " I came to Christ at 30, so I think about what good news it is that we're not just locked in life into remaining who we were as college kids. True for journeys to whatever we end up doing, just as for faith walk etc.
Big fan of Tom Holland myself. Good luck with your book release! You're doing really fascinating work with your fiction!
Thank you for this. A mutual friend pointed me to this post. I did not know you mentioned me. Thank you for that. What you say about writing that takes your breath away, E. Lily Yu speaks of this in Break, Blow, Burn and Make. She says the difference is that this sort of writing is infused with love. I haven’t read that far in the book but find myself nodding along. May my writing be infused with love.
Oooh, that is really good. And that's another thing AI could never do--it could never infuse writing with love. Grateful for your work, Shemaiah!
I have been a graduate student (in theology), blogger, and freelance writer at different points in my life. I don’t currently write with any frequency, but I concur with everything you said above about recognizing good writing and improving your own. The writers I most admire are Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI (I can’t think of any theologian who writes with as much clarity and beauty), Rumer Godden, and CS Lewis. Book I wish I had written: In this House of Brede by Rumer Godden.
This wins article of the week for me!
I’ve come into a writing rhythm later in life. No English degree to my name—no college degree at all, actually. But I’ve read voraciously ever since I was six, and I especially resonated with reason #2. Looking for beauty feels more and more like a superpower these days!
Writing role models: Ann Lamott, Barbara Kingsolver, Jen Wilkin (there’s no rule against eclecticism, right?!😅)
Wish I had written: North Woods by Daniel Mason
This is so lovely--thank you for sharing, Cathy! Definitely no rule against eclecticism--in fact, if one were to set any rule, it would be a rule to require eclecticism in reading/writer models. Also, you're the second person to mention North Woods to me in the past couple of weeks. Just put it on hold at the library.
Love this. C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton are two writers who seem to have captured the joy and beauty of life in their words. I look up to them a lot in my own writing!
Worthy models, indeed!
Nadya, this was fantastic, thank you! I found by way of Karen Swallow Prior sharing this post, and I’m so glad.
I have come to believe the way I was taught to write, while not unusual, was just awful and gave me some bad habits. On the bright side, homeschooling is giving me a chance to work on that while teaching the kids - it feels like building the ship while sailing it, but that often seems true of family life.
I love a lot of 19th century prose that seems totally overdone to people now - Ruskin and Newman probably at the top of the list. Among 20th C historians, I really admire Edmund Morgan as a writer - I'm having my 16yo read his classic article "The Labor Problem at Jamestown" next week and am really looking forward to it myself.
Having had the privilege of editing an essay of yours on one occasion, Sara, I will say that you are an exceptionally polished writer. So, whatever you've been doing is working!
You are too kind! That piece took an unsustainable amount of time to get it to where I was happy with it haha.
I loved this section: "Improvement takes time, growth, and maturity. Writing is an art, and one cannot will art out of thin air at the snap of one’s fingers. This is a process." I'm in the beginning stages of this process. I found this relatable and encouraging. Thank you!
So glad this was encouraging! Good luck--the beginning stages feel... uncomfortable at times. And then one day you will realize that you're no longer in the beginning stages of this process, and that will feel quite good. It took me a solid couple of years.
I used LePeau’s book as a text in an introductory creative writing class for the first time this past spring. I wish his book had some discussion of more types of writing, such as poetry, but I loved his thoughts on developing your creativity and thinking about writing/life from a spiritual perspective.
I spent 10 years reading aloud to my kids before ideas and the will to write arose in me again. All of the excellent children’s literature we have read together has contributed to who I am today and, I hope, will make me a better writer as I increase my writing practice. Looking forward to this series!
I love this so much--we homeschool, and this is still very much my life. The Little Prince or We're Going on a Bear Hunt dwell side-by-side with the latest theology or history tomes. And I find my creativity much enhanced as a result.
We must become as little children. ❤️
Nadya, thank you for this essay; the second one I've read today about the need for writers to be reading to improve their work. As a poet and writer here on Substack (and my blog 12 years prior to that) it's interesting/odd to me how many people, especially those who pursue the poetic form, say they don't actually read other poets. The inspiration alone in other work is an education in itself....
I am currently reading Robert McFarlane's "Landmarks," not poetry but a remarkable homage to the importance of keeping words alive.... Not only homage but a clarion call as well.
PS Shemaiah and I are IRL friends and her work and friendship are an inspiration to me both. (I was also privileged to be part of KSP's interview series--there was so much gold there!)
Wise words here, Jody!
KSP's interview series was fantastic all around--I enjoyed reading about your own journey as well. Every story in the series was very different, a reminder that there's no "one size fits all" to writing and publishing life.
Ann Patchett’s essays, particularly those in “This is the Story of a Happy Marriage” are a masterclass in essay writing. And for fiction, I think it’s hard to beat Greene or Waugh.
For technical works, I do feel like Strunk & White should be on every shelf (even if one is going to break with custom! It must be deliberate and not accidental, in my view.)
Glad you’re running this series! I look forward to it.
I was heartened to see my older son fold a volume of Strunk & White into his new book bag at Sewanee where he is a freshman. My favorite writing teacher had told us no-one likes it any more. I'm a voice teacher and quote them in most initial lessons: "If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loudly!"
First of all, wish I could commit to the launch team, but I have my own book about to release, so this autumn isn't good for me. But I would still like to support you in the future if possible.
Second, all your observations here seem spot on to me. It might be somewhat encouraging that I often did not complete all the required reading in college, but still ended up as a life-long reader and writer. As with many people, it took me a little longer to realize just what I wanted out of life. But I particularly concur with your point about reading widely. One writer whose prose I really appreciate in terms of its engaging qualities is the historian Tom Holland, who I've been fortunate to get to know just a bit. He and his podcasting co-host, Dominic Sandbrook, have convinced me of the power of narrative in teaching people about history. Rather than simply describing all the ins and outs of a war, also pick a few individuals whose stories you return to regularly, letting people see how the events are impacting their lives. But in terms of fiction, I've recently listened to a few of Graham Greene's so-called Catholic novels (my current life situation makes audiobooks ideal), and his background writing spy thrillers is clear. He is able to deal with complicated philosophical issues and still keep the reader engaged. So, that is perhaps an inspiration for me in writing fiction, though I'm not trying to copy him.
Excellent points all around, Amy! I particularly love this point: "It might be somewhat encouraging that I often did not complete all the required reading in college, but still ended up as a life-long reader and writer. As with many people, it took me a little longer to realize just what I wanted out of life. " I came to Christ at 30, so I think about what good news it is that we're not just locked in life into remaining who we were as college kids. True for journeys to whatever we end up doing, just as for faith walk etc.
Big fan of Tom Holland myself. Good luck with your book release! You're doing really fascinating work with your fiction!