The Solitary Writer's Companion: Essential Reads for Your Creative Journey
Inspire yourself to write in 2025, and join us in January for the launch of 'Your Sons and Your Daughters are Beyond' by Rosie Garland!
A very happy Friday Scribblers,
I’m full of the flu, hence the late sending of this newsletter! I hope 2025 is being kind to you so far.
As Louisa has now moved on, proofreader Sarah-Jayne will be supporting FOTW’s PR and Event admin here and there, which is a joy, and you can follow her on Bluesky here for all things politics and good books.
I’m looking forward to meeting more of you/catching up with you at events over the next few months! We will be having a comprehensive tour for our Jan 2025 magical realism short story collection, ‘Your Sons and Your Daughters are Beyond’ by Rosie Garland (out 19th Jan), so the dates for your diary are…
22nd January – Haworth, West Yorkshire (in person OR online, love a hybrid)
Waves of Nostalgia https://www.waveofnostalgia.co.uk/event-tickets/an-evening-with-rosie-garland-your-sons-your-daughters-are-beyond-7pm-22jan25-wave-of-nostalgia
6th February – Manchester Deansgate Waterstones (link soon, a huge deal for us!)
11th February – Queer Lit, Manchester (link soon, should be fabulous)
More about the book:
Garland’s quirky, queer stories are equal parts enchanting and disquieting, weaving together elements of magical realism and the haunting undercurrents of our deepest fears and desires. With a deft hand, she unveils the extraordinary within the ordinary, inviting readers to embrace the transformative potential within us all.
‘Chunks of exposition lie dying on the floor of Rosie Garland’s writing room. Get into this collection of short, sharp shockers before it gets into you.’
- Nicholas Royle
‘A heady mix of the surreal and all too real, this collection is by turns beguiling and horrifying. Each little beast of a tale creates its own often fantastical world, yet beats with an eerie reality. I dare you to read it.’
- Molly Aitken, Author of Bright I Burn
Can’t join us? No worries, I’ll ship your pre-order early when you order direct from the website here 😊
Now for some inspiration this year…
Essential Reads for Your Creative Journey
Every writer knows the feeling: staring at a blank page, wondering if what we've written is any good. Writing can be a deeply solitary pursuit, often tangled with our own self-doubts. This is why finding the right support system is crucial – whether it's joining a writing group, working with a mentor (budget permitting), or sharing our work with trusted friends and family.
There's something magical about getting that first piece of feedback from a friend: "No, it really isn't terrible..." Even better are those conversations where your characters become real people in their minds: "I can't believe Alice kept that secret from Alex – I was absolutely fuming!" These outside perspectives can breathe new life into our work and help us see it through fresh eyes.
Here's a reassuring truth many don't realise: most "debut" novels aren't actually first novels. Often, they're the second, fourth, or even fortieth attempt! The path to publication usually involves multiple manuscripts tucked away in drawers, each one teaching valuable lessons along the way.
To help you on this journey, I've curated a list of transformative craft books which I read in 2024 that won't break the bank. You can find these gems at your local library or bookshop (perfect for browsing from a cozy chair, especially if you're fighting a virus like me!):
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing That You'll Ever Need
The ultimate guide to story structure that has revolutionised how writers think about plot. While originally written for screenwriters, its principles are invaluable for novelists crafting compelling narratives.
This book helped me no end with writing my second novel. I wrote psychological thriller ‘The Dark Within Them’ without this blueprint, and the developmental edits were painful: I cut and re-edited 25k to aid the flow of the ending! If I had analysed the beats of my novel and the type of novel in detail, I would have saved time and energy, avoiding this ‘killing’ of my ‘babies’!
The Process of Poetry (Edited by Rosanna McGlone)
This is our bestseller, and has earned its place on countless UK MA Creative Writing reading lists for good reason. It offers an intimate look at the poetic journey, from rough first drafts to award-winning pieces, making the craft accessible to writers at any stage.
Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life
Anne Lamott
More than just a craft book, this is a companion for writers navigating both creative and emotional challenges. Lamott tackles everything from "Shitty First Drafts" to "How Do You Know When You're Done?" with wisdom, humor, and deep empathy for the writer's journey. Her chapter on "Writers Block" alone is worth its weight in gold.
Want to support independent bookstores while building your craft library?
I've created a curated list on Bookshop.org where you can find these titles and more. As an affiliate, I’m told that a portion of each sale from this list helps support this newsletter :)
I hope these craft books will be gentle and essential companions for your 2025 writing goals: be kind to yourself, and enjoy the process, preferably with cake and a brew.
Take care,
Isabelle x