What I've Been Reading
Hey all! Since last summer I've been doing a lot of reading (for me). I talked about this on LinkedIn and encourage you to check out those articles.This summer I've been diving into fiction reading and writing. My goal is to complete my novel by end of year. As I'm writing, I'm also reading more fiction giving me measure on what's good and what's not. With that said, I'm sharing what I'm reading (or listening to) with you.
Let me know what you're reading in the comments. My current novel is a novel in verse so if you have science fiction or horror novels in verse PLEASE share them. I'd love to see what others are doing.
On to the books:
Nevernight
by Jay Kristoff
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nevernight-jay-kristoff/1122537859?ean=9781250132130#/
I'm loving this book! What an excellent story! I won't spoil the story, get it, read it, enjoy it!
Nevernight Cover from Barnes and Nobles
I recommend this book for adult readers looking for a fast paced adventure. It's Harry Potter if Harry Potter wanted to kill a bunch of people and Hogwarts was a murder cult. The world building is amazing in Nevernight. The city of Godsgrave really comes to life with the city locations being clearly pictured in your mind (sights, smells, sounds, all the good stuff). The inhabitants in Nevernight are just as lively as the settings (until they die...that happens a lot). Kristoff leverages enough description to paint a picture while leaving enough open for your mind to make the characters your own.
This is not one for the kids! I keep seeing it in YA or even teen sections in various bookstores. This is not a book for young readers as it has numerous graphic scenes of sex and violence. If you are an aspiring writer, I strongly suggest you take note of the sex and violence in this book. Nevernight conveys the complex feelings wrapped up in sex and murder that many other books clumsily trip over. Excellent writing throughout!
I'm looking forward to starting the next book in the series: Godsgrave.
Using this at Work
In storytelling, no matter the medium, world building is critical. When giving presentations, or providing direction to clients, I try to implement storytelling techniques like world building. Creating a vision of where we are going (in time, in space, in potential) requires the ability to describe a world people can understand. Books like Nevernight give me tools and sometimes direct words I can use to paint the new world I'm storytelling about. If you are a storyteller at work, read more fiction to see models for how to build compelling worlds for your audience.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
This isn't the book I have but it is a great version
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is a bunch of Holmes adventures and each one incredibly enjoyable. I love the scenes, the dialog and action. In A Scandal in Bohemia, the dialog between the king and Holmes about the pictures with Ms. Adler are quick jabs with a solid knock out in the end that made me laugh out loud. Exactly the kind of reactions I want in my readers.
I'm amazed by the dialog driving the story. Again, in A Scandal in Bohemia, much of the story is Holmes talking to Watson. I enjoyed how this kept the pace fast, conveyed character through actions + words and makes the reader feel like a fly on the wall - the story happening in front of you not being told to you. Listening to how Holmes talks to Watson, what words are used between the characters paints a picture of who each person is and how they see the others.
I'm using this book as a study on scene building. What is the scene I'm reading? Why is it in the story? How is it executed on the page? I'm using a little spreadsheet document to break down scenes into bitty chunks for exploration. This has helped me build better scenes in my own writing. If you'd like a copy of the spreadsheet drop me a comment and I'll share my template with you (nothing fancy but useful).
Using this at Work
Mystery is a powerful weapon in your storytelling arsenal. Reading master mystery authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, examining how they build and release tension is time well spent. When telling stories, think of tension like a wave that surges and sinks throughout your tale. Build tension with the words you use, the actions you take or don't take (silence can be a might mystery tool). Any presentation, no matter how boring, can be brought to life with some mystery. I'd encourage you read some Sherlock Holmes or any great mystery story to see how the authors weave mystery and tension together to keep the pages turning.
Writing Monsters
by Philip Athans
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-writing-monsters-philip-athans/1118734283?ean=9781599638089#/
Lately I've been lingering in the writing section of Barnes and Nobles. Thinking about my current novel project and the monster(s) that linger within - Writing Monsters by Philip Athans seemed a great reference.
The book is a detailed examination of monsters in literature. From Frankenstein to It, Athans takes a deep look at what makes a great/memorable monster. He provides a worksheet to help you design your monster and think through the details that help you build hooks in your story.
No matter what you're writing, I'd encourage you to check out this book. Monsters don't have to be gooey things in the dark, they can be anything you can imagine. In my current project, the monster is a bit of technology gone wrong. I also used Athans' model to build bully characters, some actual monster creatures and even to think through my characters in a different way.
Athans' approach to the topic of monsters is thorough and logical helping you peel the onion of your creature covering strengths, weaknesses, diet, etc... Using the worksheet provided, and returning to it often, I was able to think about my monster in the context of rules leading to a much more believable beastie.
I really enjoyed this book and think you will too! Check it out.
Using this at Work
Here's the thing about presentations and stories, they are always about something human. In stories for consultants, you (the storyteller) are never the hero. You are the mentor who is there to coach the hero (your audience) to a new world. Some of the challenges standing between your hero and the new world they seek will come with monsters in the shadows. Whether that is overcoming a fear of disruption or realigning in a volatile market or whatever, business problems have very real monsters lurking to disrupt the journey from where the hero is, to where they want to be.
Using tools like Writing Monsters, you can start turning business problems into much more interesting characters in your story. More interesting characters leads to higher engagement from your audience. I remember talking to an audience once about Artificial Intelligence and cyber security. I told the story through the lens of Norse Mythology. Using monsters, gods and heroes, the audience could grip the concepts much easier than dry business problems.
Be engaging! Bring monsters to the table when telling stories for your business.
The Honest Designers
Podcast by Tom Ross, Ian Barnard, Dustin Lee and Lisa Glanz
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/honest-designers/the-honest-designers-show
Not all media I consume is text. The Honest Designers Podcast is an excellent resource for any creative professional. Whether you are a writer, designer or even technology consultant - this podcast hits topics that you'll want to hear.
Honest Designers, great for any creative not just designers
I've been listening to this podcast for a while now and have been using the concepts and content provided in my life as a technology consultant. While they talk about design, the ideas of value production, client engagement, marketing, etc... apply to all kinds of creative/knowledge based work.
Writers, these people are talking to you! From advertising on social media to thinking about your creative career as a business - these guys cover all aspects of a creative entrepreneur's life.
The recent episode You Are The People You Surround Yourself With was a great reminder to me. I haven't thought about who I've been surrounding myself with and this episode was a call to action. The action: to inventory the people around me. Determine their role and ask myself, are the people I'm around, are the roles around me supporting my goals?
The "people around you" are not only physical but digital. For instance, I follow Jay Kristoff closely on social media. Not b/c I'm a stalker (I don't think I am anyway) but b/c his brand, content and products are like what I think I am producing. I try to message people on the same journey as me in writing and tech through twitter, instagram and the blogsphere. In summary, while I don't know a lot of writers in real life, I'm trying to digitally surround myself with people on similar journeys. We might be in different spots on the journey, but I am inspired by their success, try to learn from their challenges and do my best to remember social media is only the highlight reel.
Using this at Work
This one doesn't really need explaining. What the Honest Designer team talks about is consulting in a creative business. At work I'm consulting in a creative business. My creative medium is technology, the canvas are the client's business problems. So, no real need for interpretation here.
Side note: If you're having a rough day, stroll through Lisa Glanz's Instagram page. Her amazing illustrations, cute cuddlies and fun imaging will lift you up.
That's it for now! Check back for more book reviews and my take away for telling stories in the technology/business world.