This blog was never supposed to be about writing. Still, I  have been thinking and writing a lot about writing lately. This blog has put me in touch with a community of people are also thinking and writing a lot about writing. We are always seeking inspiration, communion and support. To those friends, I recommend Barbara Abercrombie’s Year of Writing Dangerously: 365 Days of Inspiration & Encouragement. 

As the title suggests, it is basically intended as a year-long writer’s toolkit for inspiration. I read it in 3 days. The entries are short — one or two pages for each day. Abercrombie provides practical, encouraging advice for writers. She does not pander or become too precious. She appreciates that writing is a struggle but doesn’t get wrapped up in the romance of that struggle.

She offers great quotes and stories from effective writers from across time. She blends their advice into a few basic tennets:

• People who want to write better or write professionally must write every day.
• Writers must read a lot.
• Writers need a support network of disinterested peers who can criticize in a positive, ruthless manner.
• Family members should not read what we write until the work is published and it is too late to turn back or make changes.
• The best writing results from taking bad stuff out more than from adding good stuff in.
• Unfortunately, it is as difficult to write a really bad book as it is is to write a really good book.
• Always finish. Unless you can’t. Then don’t finish.
• Find your process and stick with it. What works for others may not work for you. There is no recipe.

The appendix offers the gift of 52 writing prompts to unstick stuck writers. They are pretty good.

Just a few pages into the book made me feel like writing. If you write or spend lots of time thinking about writing, you will enjoy this book very much.