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Helpful Resources for Creative Writing Students

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On Writing

The Artist's Way

The Artist's Way (1992)

Julia Cameron

“A course in discovering and recovering your creative self”

The Writing Life

The Writing Life (1989)

Annie Dillard

“[I]lluminates the dedication, absurdity, and daring that characterize the existence of a writer”

Big Magic

Big Magic (2016)

Elizabeth Gilbert

“[O]ffers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration”

Writing Down the Bones

Writing Down the Bones (1986)

Natalie Goldberg

“Short, easy-to-read chapters offering suggestions, encouragements, and solid advice on many aspects of the writer’s craft”

On Writing

On Writing (2000)

Stephen King

“Part memoir, part master class—a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft”

Bird by Bird

Bird by Bird (1995)

Anne Lamott

“Hilarious, big-hearted, homespun advice about writing for scribes and scribblers of all ages and abilities”

On Poetry

The Triggering Town

The Triggering Town (1979)

Richard Hugo

“Collection of lectures and reflections directed toward writing poems”

The Poet's Companion

The Poet’s Companion (1997)

Dorianne Laux and Kim Addonizio

“Brief essays on elements of poetry, each followed by writing exercises”

Letters to a Young Poet

Letters to a Young Poet (1929)

Rainer Maria Rilke

“Advice on writing, love, sex, suffering, and the nature of advice itself”

Why Poetry

Why Poetry (2017)

Matthew Zapruder

“Explores what poems are and how we can read them”