An old friend sent me this collection of Ann Patchett's essays and I devoured it almost at one sitting. It's an eclectic assortment that includes some excellent advice for writers and for people trying to stay in a marriage and for people trying to get out of one. Also there is a dog. And nuns. The NY TImes has a really good review HERE. Highly recommended.
And now I need to seek out her other books. I've read and enjoyed BEL CANTO and THE PATRON SAINT OF LIARS -- now I want to read TRUTH & BEAUTY.
An ex-student of mine, who probably remembered my saying I thought sex scenes were hard difficult to write and not be unintentionally funny, brought Gabaldon's bookette to my attention. Gabaldon writes quite a few sex scenes and she does it with a deft touch hand pen.There's lots of good writing advice for sex scenes and scenes in general in this Kindle Singles ebook (119 pp.).
And if you just want to read the racy bits, that's exactly what Gabaldon uses for examples. Plus, she's funny. Intentionally. Also highly recommended, mainly for writers and Gabaldon fans but also for anyone interested in the craft. Of writing, that is. Here's a LINK.
10 comments:
Not an ex-student. As long as you are posting online and your books are on my Kindle, I will always be your student. :-) Glad you enjoyed the Gabaldon book. I figured you would.
Excellent book recommendations, as always. I've never tried to write a novel or a sex scene but I think I'd still find that book interesting!
I wonder if writing a sex scene is only one short step away from taking notes during the act.
A writer must have a good memory . . .
Bel Canto sat on my shelf for several years for some reason. When I read it I immediately loved it and recommended it to many of my friends.
Haven't looked specifically for racy bits since I was a teenager, sharing books at slumber parties. When we giggled and read aloud. And learned a lot of new words.
Thank you again, Vicki, for giving me more titles to add to my library stacks search list.
If I had those oft-described eyes in the back of my head, would they help me to read twice as many book at the same time? I don't think my brain could handle it.
Somehow typing that last paragraph reminds me of how much I loved going to the library during summer school holidays and being able to check out very heavy stacks of books that I would quickly read ... and then want to read more. xo
At one point in my life, my grandparents took me to the library once a week and I would get stacks of books and read snatches of them as we passed under street lights. I've been an addicted reader for a very long time -- over sixty years.
I've enjoyed every one of Gabaldon's books, in spite of the sex scenes. Those I skim over quite rapidly because I find them boring. Your sex scenes are fine with me. She also has some quite violent scenes which I skim over as well. Explicit sex and violence are not my cup of tea!
I like her books because of the focus on important events in Scottish and American history and her vivid characters.
I stopped watching the televised versions of her book because of all the sex and violence, too! I might watch them streaming because then I could fast forward.
Deana the Queena
Ha! I didn't think I wrote sex scene. I agree -- Gabaldon's sex scene become kinda boring to me because there are so many. But that's probably why she's a best seller.
Vicki, that's why I like yours better---there aren't any! Deana the Queena
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