What to read...
Okay one of my writer/reader groups put out the question about reference books we writers use when writing. Here's my response below the cut in case you are curious :)
I admit I don’t get much retention going on from the editing books, but I do have several books that are invaluable in the paranormal fiction I do.
Names are something I devote a great deal of thought to, whether for main characters or secondary players. That’s why I find Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana: What to Name Your Baby Now by Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran and The Complete Book of Magical Names by Phoenix McFarland (the first moreso than the second) more used than any other book in my reference library.
Though I don’t build by stories around sex, lately I’ve gotten more calls to do lesbian erotic fiction in short story form, which forces me to get…more creative at times. The Whole Lesbian Sex Book by Felice Newman has been very useful lately. Right now I am working with a library copy until I can get one of my own for my reference library.
I do a lot with natural farming and crafting techniques, as well as female central communities, so the next three books are super useful in this task. The Woman's carpentry book: Building your home from the ground up by Tetrault (I have the hardcover but long to get the newer paperback), Country Women: A Handbook for the New Farmer by Sherry Thomas (there is also a newer version than the ’76 version I have that’s out that I need), and The Foxfire Book: Hog Dressing, Log Cabin Building, Mountain Crafts and Foods, Planting by the Signs, Snake Lore, Hunting Tales, Faith Healing, Moonshining, and other affairs of plain living (I have the first one, need more :) )
Okay, I admit, I abuse my lovlies, whether by tossing a canister of tear gas in the middle of an intimate moment, or dealing with Tazor burns in sensitive places. For this reason Body Trauma: A Writer's Guide to Wounds and Injuries by David Page M.D. (also need the newest version of this…darn I need to update my reference library)
Lastly there are several magical/spiritually related books a reference often when looking for ideas, but the one I find irreplaceable is Women's Rites, Women's Mysteries: Intuitive Ritual Creation by Ruth Barrett. It’s the best book by far in dealing with women centered spirituality in my opinion.
Also in case I forget something when dealing with the herbal witch end of things, I have Healing Wise by Susan Weed (in fact any of her wise women herbal series works well for reference) along with the other ten zillian herbal books on my shelves.
I hope this list has been helpful, or at least revealing on my many oddities.
I admit I don’t get much retention going on from the editing books, but I do have several books that are invaluable in the paranormal fiction I do.
Names are something I devote a great deal of thought to, whether for main characters or secondary players. That’s why I find Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana: What to Name Your Baby Now by Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran and The Complete Book of Magical Names by Phoenix McFarland (the first moreso than the second) more used than any other book in my reference library.
Though I don’t build by stories around sex, lately I’ve gotten more calls to do lesbian erotic fiction in short story form, which forces me to get…more creative at times. The Whole Lesbian Sex Book by Felice Newman has been very useful lately. Right now I am working with a library copy until I can get one of my own for my reference library.
I do a lot with natural farming and crafting techniques, as well as female central communities, so the next three books are super useful in this task. The Woman's carpentry book: Building your home from the ground up by Tetrault (I have the hardcover but long to get the newer paperback), Country Women: A Handbook for the New Farmer by Sherry Thomas (there is also a newer version than the ’76 version I have that’s out that I need), and The Foxfire Book: Hog Dressing, Log Cabin Building, Mountain Crafts and Foods, Planting by the Signs, Snake Lore, Hunting Tales, Faith Healing, Moonshining, and other affairs of plain living (I have the first one, need more :) )
Okay, I admit, I abuse my lovlies, whether by tossing a canister of tear gas in the middle of an intimate moment, or dealing with Tazor burns in sensitive places. For this reason Body Trauma: A Writer's Guide to Wounds and Injuries by David Page M.D. (also need the newest version of this…darn I need to update my reference library)
Lastly there are several magical/spiritually related books a reference often when looking for ideas, but the one I find irreplaceable is Women's Rites, Women's Mysteries: Intuitive Ritual Creation by Ruth Barrett. It’s the best book by far in dealing with women centered spirituality in my opinion.
Also in case I forget something when dealing with the herbal witch end of things, I have Healing Wise by Susan Weed (in fact any of her wise women herbal series works well for reference) along with the other ten zillian herbal books on my shelves.
I hope this list has been helpful, or at least revealing on my many oddities.