Becoming A Writer - Dorothea Brand

A very impressive book setting out a thorough system for turning yourself into a writer; hopefully as helpful as it is impressive. One thing definitely in its favour is it addresses the problem of "writing at all" - overcoming apathy, absence of ideas and so on - rather than technical advice. It shows its age and certainly isn't meant for a "busy, fast-paced, modern lifestyle" but then who ever said that that lifestyle is compatible with the lifestyle of a writer? Have taken one exercise to heart and begun writing first thing each morning. This is quite exciting and I can't believe I never thought of it myself.

All Hail the New Puritans - Various

Picked it up because of the very intriguing "manifesto" really. I thought the stories were not as groundbreaking and the manifesto and review quotes ("controversial" - really?) suggested, but they are very good, most of them. Immediate, plot-driven, straight-forward and totally unpretentious. Alex Garland's one especially, about a journalist at a Grand Prix race track, is so vivid and photographic (in more ways than one) that it has lodged in my head firmly. The world needs more short stories.

On Writing - Stephen King

Second time I've read it. It's lit a creative fire in my brain. Finished a first draft of a story a few days ago, just had a new idea today. I believe King will one day be recognised as the greatest writer of his generation, and will be studied on literature courses.