Essential books on writing: King, Lamott, and Montero
There are books about writing that are, in reality, books about life. These three are exactly that.
I don't recommend them because they appear on every list — though they do. I recommend them because I've read them, underlined them, reread them, and they genuinely shifted my perspective on several things — not just about the creative process, but about what it means to be a creative person.
On Writing — Stephen King
The first half is pure autobiography, and it's fascinating. The second half is the best writing manual I've ever read in my life. King doesn't give you formulas — he tells you the truth, with his characteristic humour and without a hint of condescension. If you only read one book about writing in your life, make it this one.
Available in Spanish (Mientras escribo), English and German (Das Leben und das Schreiben).
Bird by Bird — Anne Lamott
The title comes from advice that Lamott's father gave her little brother, overwhelmed by a school project on birds due the next day: «Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.» That's it. That's the whole thing. This book has saved me from paralysis more than once, and I always keep it close.
I tend to reread it whenever I feel like all this writing and being-a-writer business is just too much. When you feel like throwing in the towel, or you're wondering whether any of it is even worth it. Right now, as it happens, I'm rereading it again. That says it all, really. 😊
Available in Spanish (Pájaro a pájaro), English and German (Wort für Wort).
The Danger to Be Sane: Creativity and the Eccentric Mind — Rosa Montero
Rosa Montero explores the connection between creativity and madness with a honesty that makes your head spin. It's not a manual — it's a personal investigation into what it means to create, what's so peculiar about the brain of creative people (and we're talking about creativity well beyond the arts), and why the very thing that complicates our lives is also our greatest gift.
I read it underlining nearly every page. I'm rereading it now too — I tend to have several books on the go at once. And this one and Lamott's are permanent residents of my e-reader.
Available in Spanish (El peligro de estar cuerda) and in English (The Danger to Be Sane: Creativity and the Eccentric Mind).
Do you have any of these on your bedside table? Or is there a book about creativity that you'd recommend?
Tell me in the comments — I'm always on the lookout for the next one.
✨ ✨ #todossonstorias #storieseverywhere #geschichtenuberall
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