Reading some non-fiction
So, I'm usually a die-hard fiction reader, but I've read a bunch of non-fiction lately which is odd for me. The stand out book was "Publish This Book" by Stephen Markley. I guess if you are going to begin your career with a memoir, this is the way to go and let me tell you why:
1. It starts with haha college humor and a kid trying to find his way after college living in Chicago.
2. He delves into some real life stuff happening to him as he is writing the book and querying agents.
3. The book deepens and makes you fall in love with "his character". I found myself rooting for his relationship, friendships, and getting this book published (even thought I'm holding concrete evidence in my hands of a happy ending).
4. He delves into the WHY of writing and the book moves deeper and deeper inwards the farther into the book you get.
By the end, I'm ready to drive to Chicago to a book signing of his in a bar (my husband said no) and read any fiction he writes from here on out.
Why?
Because I feel like I know him and we have a relationship and I'm invested now - forever - in this guy's success.
It you're going to start your career with a memoir - this is the way to do it...
Good Luck Steve!
Too many lines to quote from his book, but here is one...
"We lose millions upon millions of memories every day. We have no way of cataloging all of the things we don't want to forget, but some moments--certain strings of events--manage to stay with us and live in us and occasionally even define us. Everyone has these stories, even if they are unaware of them. They lurk behind our prejudices and our fears. They are the force behind our love and hope, behind the terrible, the wonderful, and even the mediocre. They are the moments that inspire us to write the rest of the story eventually."
Stephen Markley
1. It starts with haha college humor and a kid trying to find his way after college living in Chicago.
2. He delves into some real life stuff happening to him as he is writing the book and querying agents.
3. The book deepens and makes you fall in love with "his character". I found myself rooting for his relationship, friendships, and getting this book published (even thought I'm holding concrete evidence in my hands of a happy ending).
4. He delves into the WHY of writing and the book moves deeper and deeper inwards the farther into the book you get.
By the end, I'm ready to drive to Chicago to a book signing of his in a bar (my husband said no) and read any fiction he writes from here on out.
Why?
Because I feel like I know him and we have a relationship and I'm invested now - forever - in this guy's success.
It you're going to start your career with a memoir - this is the way to do it...
Good Luck Steve!
Too many lines to quote from his book, but here is one...
"We lose millions upon millions of memories every day. We have no way of cataloging all of the things we don't want to forget, but some moments--certain strings of events--manage to stay with us and live in us and occasionally even define us. Everyone has these stories, even if they are unaware of them. They lurk behind our prejudices and our fears. They are the force behind our love and hope, behind the terrible, the wonderful, and even the mediocre. They are the moments that inspire us to write the rest of the story eventually."
Stephen Markley
