Ava’s Annotated Bibliography
Senior Project 2022
The Writer Files podcast:
Reid, Kelton, host. The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience. New Media Dojo, 2015– , https://writerfiles.libsyn.com/
In The Writer Files podcast, host Kelton Reid speaks with numerous writers on their creative process. Each episode consists of an interview with a published author of a novel or short story. Topics include mental health, learning to use stories to explore social justice, and finding inspiration.
Kelton has taken the approach of examining the mindsets and habits of authors in order to understand their productivity. The podcast serves as a resource for aspiring writers and an interesting listen for a general audience that is curious about the writing process.
The Writer Files would be helpful for my Senior Project, especially if I encounter burnout or find it difficult to stay motivated. By listening to advice from those more experienced in the field, I hope to learn and carry productive habits into my own writing process. With over two hundred episodes, I’ll be able to find the interviews most relevant to my project.
Start With This podcast:
Cranor, Jeffrey, host. Start With This. 2019–2021, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-this/id1451621980
The Start With This podcast, hosted by Jeffrey Cranor, is meant to serve as a starting point for creative thought and writing. It explores topics such as elevating basic language, setting the scene, and honing your writer’s voice.
Each episode gives two assignments: something to consume and something to create. For instance, one episode asks listeners to read the first chapter of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden then to write a 200 word description of your neighborhood. With simple, straightforward prompts, the podcast gives the basis to begin a story.
The Start With This podcast can serve as a source for brainstorming and inspiration in the earlier stages of my writing. With a writing prompt in every episode, I can use my imagination and hone my craft while also learning from the topic at hand.
Guide to short story writing:
Turner, N. A. “Short Story Writing for Beginners – A Guide.” Turner Stories, Turner Stories, 2 June 2020, https://www.turnerstories.com/blog/2020/5/31/short-story-writing-for-beginners.
N. A. Turner’s article on writing short stories is an overview on how to create a piece of fiction from start to finish. The article helpfully divides the process into multiple steps, such as plotting, structuring, and character building. It also provides examples in each section, alongside various quotes.
Although it only covers the very basics, the article lays the groundwork for further research into more specific areas. Even though it is meant for beginners, I feel that the article has much to offer for those who have been writing for an extended period of time.
I’ve begun many short stories, but my only completed ones were produced in my Short Stories writing workshop in junior year. Without the pressure of an approaching deadline, I find it difficult to complete a piece. By using this guide, I can learn to break down each story and understand each component in order to finish it.
Article on advice from writers:
Fassler, Joe. “I Talked to 150 Writers and Here’s the Best Advice They Had.” Literary Hub, 24 June 2019, https://lithub.com/i-talked-to-150-writers-and-heres-the-best-advice-they-had/.
In the article, Joe Fassler has gathered seven pieces of advice from one hundred and fifty writers. Though, Fassler writes, no one author’s advice should be taken as a fact, these seven tips have been the most prevalent throughout his experience.
The advice, such as making space for improvisation in your early drafting, is paired with quotes from writers Fassler has interviewed. Altogether, the article forms a cohesive guide to improving your writing and avoiding common mistakes.
I was drawn into this article by its opening paragraph, which described how writer John Irving began each of his books by writing the last line. While each writer’s style of writing is completely different, it can be useful to learn about new strategies to build upon one’s own methodology. I’ll continue to revisit these tips as I move through my stories.
Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott:
Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. Anchor Books, 1995.
A widely-acclaimed book on writing, Anne Lamott’s Bird By Bird is a funny yet wise exploration of the journey to becoming an author. Filled with insights about struggles that she herself has encountered, Lamott uses her experiences to guide readers through their own writing process.
She discusses not only creative sides to writing, but also the technical aspects. These include character development, dialogue, and plot. Lamott’s advice moves beyond basic writing mechanics, and delves into the working of the mind; for example, she believes writing should be guided by one’s values and moral code.
This book would be helpful for me during my Senior Project, as I’ll be able to learn about the entire writing process and practice using the exercises she provides. It would also help me write about heavier topics in a way that is more accessible to the reader.