1000 Words by Attenberg and The Perfect Story by Eber

1000 WORDS by Jami Attenberg (Saint Mazie) is the result of an effort by Attenberg and fellow writer Anne Gisleson to motivate themselves. She says that one thousand words (about four type-written pages) is a workable daily goal for her, but that each reader should decide individually on a goal. The text continues by offering ideas on where to write, how to begin, and later reading your work out loud, emphasizing that while writing can be isolating, one is not alone in this creative work. She categorizes a creative life cycle as having phases: internal and developmental; preparatory; committed; and a reflective pause. In addition to the essays from Attenberg, there are inspiring contributions from writers like Min Jin Lee, Roxanne Gay, Laila Lalami, and Courtney Sullivan. This collection is subtitled “A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round” and will likely have the most appeal for those who are actively trying to write longer works. Aspiring writers can also subscribe to Attenberg’s Craft Talk Newsletter. She notes, “You can create a sense of isolation in your mind. You can tap into that hunger and desire to make something new. It's all sitting right there. A pen, some paper, and your brain.” Described in numerous reviews as motivating, comforting, and/or encouraging, 1000 WORDS received a starred review from Booklist.

 

THE PERFECT STORY by Karen Eber is another excellent work which describes “How to Tell Stories that Inform, Influence, and Inspire.” Eber begins by stating the storytelling is “an art that is grounded in science” and she outlines several facets of stories: connection builders, change agents, memorable, reinforcing values, and interactive. All of her chapters (e.g., Storytelling with Data) have a summary and a storytelling interview to accompany them. This text is filled with vignettes which aptly illustrate the power of storytelling and checklists to help with creation and implementation. To learn more, see her TedTalk which has over two million views: