Note: Some of these resources are free, and some aren’t. Those that are paid resources are affiliate products or services, meaning if you buy them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you. Please know that I have personal experience with all of the following resources, which is why I recommend them.
Books to Rev Up Your Writing Mojo
Bird by Bird – by Anne Lamott. Anne has a wonderfully unique and take no prisoners attitude when describing life, faith, and writing. This book is worth it if for no other reason than it helps you understand that every first draft is supposed to be messy. The job of a writer is to keep going and not worry about editing. Just write.
Writing Down The Bones – by Natalie Goldberg. With insight, humor, and practicality, Natalie Goldberg inspires writers and would-be writers to take the leap into writing skillfully and creatively. She teaches us that the deeper you listen, the better you write!
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years – by Donald Miller. If you need inspiration, you’ll find it in this book.Through heart-wrenching honesty and hilarious self-inspection, Miller takes readers through the life that emerges when it turns from boring reality into a meaningful narrative. Miller shows us how to get a second chance at life the first time around.
On Writing Well – by William Zinsser. This writing classic is a must-read for any aspiring author who wants to write nonfiction. It’s accessible, challenging, and relevant to our times.
On Writing – By Stephen King. This more contemporary approach to writing by Stephen King is essential for anyone who wants to be a novelist or writer of fiction. The book is not a mechanical guide on how to be a better writer from a technical standpoint, though in the middle section King does discuss the fundamentals of the craft. Stylistically, it is similar to Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, in that it is a very personal book that discusses writing through the author’s personal stories, experiences and anecdotes, all told with good grace and humor.
WriteYour True Story: How to Unleash Your Creativity, Share Your Message and Inspire the World – by yours truly. We often devalue our experiences and discount the importance of our stories. This book is for those of you who wish to write stories and experiences about your life. Perhaps you want to write a memoir or a collection of essays or put together a book of personal stories and poems. Whether you want to write for publication (traditional or self publishing) or as a private effort to leave a legacy for your children or family, this book will help you see the value in getting it done now.
Emotion Thesaurus (Second Edition) – By Becca Puglisi. One of the biggest struggles for writers is how to convey emotion to readers in a unique and compelling way. When showing our characters’ feelings, we often use the first idea that comes to mind, and they end up smiling, nodding, and frowning too much.
If you need inspiration for creating characters’ emotional responses that are personalized and evocative, this ultimate show-don’t-tell guide for emotion can help.
The Emotional Wound Thesaurus – By Becca Puglisi. Root your characters in reality by giving them an authentic wound that causes difficulties and prompts them to strive for inner growth to overcome it. With its easy-to-read format and over 100 entries packed with information, The Emotional Wound Thesaurus is a crash course in psychology for creating characters that feel incredibly real to readers.
Free Writing Resources
Write From Your Heart Writing Series – one of my favorites! In this free interview series for writers, you will receive guidance, inspiration and support from 20 industry experts! Learn how to unleash your creativity, share your message, and leave a lasting legacy.
Books to Help You Call in the Muse
The Artist’s Way: a spiritual path to higher creativity – by Julia Cameron. Since its first publication millions of readers use this book to embark on their creative journey to find a deeper connection to their own process and purpose. Julia Cameron’s approach guides readers in uncovering problems areas and pressure points that may be restricting their creative flow and offers techniques to free up any areas where they might be stuck, opening up opportunities for self-growth and self-discovery.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – by Elizabeth Gilbert. Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. “A must read for anyone hoping to live a creative life.
A Course in Miracles – A Course in Miracles is a unique spiritual self-study program—a course in mind-training—designed to undo the illusion that you are separate in any way from God or your fellow humans. The Course systematically leads you to experience God’s Love in all your relationships through the practice of forgiveness (releasing the past), the willingness to receive and follow higher guidance, and the cultivation of miracle-mindedness. Happiness, peace, joy, and love are the natural outcomes of the Course’s teaching.
Books to Help You Break Through Resistance
The War of Art – by Steven Pressfield. This is my go-to when I feel stuck or doubtful. It is my writing bible. Quite simply, this book is a must-read for any aspiring writer. Beware: it will tell it to you straight and get you to learn how to tap into your angels and guides.
Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level – by Gay Hendricks. With over a million copies sold, New York Times bestselling Gay demonstrates how to go beyond your internal limits, release outdated fears and learn a whole new set of powerful skills and habits to liberate your authentic greatness.
Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance – by Jonathan Fields. Jonathan draws on leading-edge technology, cognitive science, and ancient awareness-focusing techniques in a fresh, practical, non-dogmatic way. His approach enables creativity and productivity on an entirely different level and can turn the once-tortuous journey into a more enjoyable quest.
Thriving Through Uncertainty: Moving Beyond Fear of the Unknown and Making Change Work for You – by Tama Kieves. Tama is my favorite author of how to embrace uncertainty! She rocks the house with this book as she guides you in a gentle, profound, and inspiring way to help you discover the blessings within difficulties.
Psycho Cybernetics – by Dr. Maxwell Maltz. Cybernetics (loosely translated from the Greek): “a helmsman who steers his ship to port.” Psycho-Cybernetics is a term coined by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, which means, “steering your mind to a productive, useful goal so you can reach the greatest port in the world, peace of mind.” The teachings of Psycho-Cybernetics are timeless because they are based on solid science and provide a prescription for thinking and acting that lead to quantifiable results.
Apps and Books On Meditation and Prayer
Healing the Core Wound of Unworthiness by Adyshasnti. “So many of us hold a deep belief that we were born unworthy,” reflects Adyashanti, “inadequate, unlovable, and alone.” But what if, in truth, we weren’t put here to pay penance, change our karma, or “fix” ourselves? What if we chose to be here because we so loved the world that we poured ourselves into it – to make it whole again, to restore “the hidden divinity amid the disaster”? With Healing the Core Wound of Unworthiness, we’re invited to entertain that possibility.
The Wisdom Of No Escape – by Pema Chodron. It’s true, as they say, that we can only love others when we first love ourselves—and we can only experience real joy when we stop running from pain. The key to understanding these truisms is simple but not easy: we must learn to open ourselves up to life in all its manifestations. Pema Chödrön presents a uniquely practical approach to showing us the true value in having “no escape” from the ups and downs of life.
Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh. World-renowned Zen master, and spiritual leader shows us how to make positive use of the situations that usually pressure and antagonize us. A ringing telephone can be a signal to call us back to our true selves.
Souls Space – APP – A meditation app that anchors peace to God. I love listening to this first thing in the morning. It blends mindfulness meditation with the beauty of Jesus.
Head Space – APP – Meditation and mindfulness for any mind, any mood, any goal, in an app. This is a fantastic introduction to meditation, as well as a wonderul way to get back into practice if you’ve fallen out of your meditation routine.
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” – Buddhist Quote
