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What a great topic/project! My summer reading plan has just come together and this will round it out nicely 👍 My current writing craft book is Julia Cameron’s Write for Life—those morning pages still rock! I’ve been in a lull, not for lack of story ideas but…some kinda weird apathy. Ppfftt. For my first official Read Like a Writer study, I’m going to Nora **nods reverently** Specifically her Born In series, I think. Her way of friendships and community is just…sigh. I’ve marked many a page but not taken the time to make notes until now. I enjoy and glean so much from your newsletters—thank you! xo

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Thanks, Dana! Glad you got something out of the newsletter! :) And I loved Write for Life. I'm still going strong with my morning pages too. I haven't missed a day since I started a few months ago. And Nora is a wise mentor to study. Have fun!

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Jun 1, 2023Liked by Roni Loren

I’m in. I finally reached the midpoint in my WIP --writing a couple times a week about 500 words at a time. With the day job that’s about all I can handle right now but I’m trying to read more like a writer (although that’s a new concept to me) and I always enjoy craft book recs. I already have the DIY MFA book somewhere but I’m a slow reader on craft books and non fic in general so I’m sure it’s in a box. Perhaps I’ll get it from the library until I can locate my actual copy. Thanks for this project-it’s right up my alley.

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Yay, thanks for joining in, Colleen! :)

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I like this concept.

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Thanks! :)

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I like it. As I continue to finish edits to one book and write a first draft of another, I love reading novels to learn about the craft. And what's interesting is I get a lot of insights by listening to audio books. Part of me thinks it's because you take in every word in an audio book read to you (instead of skimming words). But I love your intentionality. Good luck!

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Thanks! And I love audio as well. I tend to listen to more memoir and non-fiction on audio than fiction, but I'm working on listening to more fiction as well. Good luck with your edits!

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May 31, 2023Liked by Roni Loren

So I went to check out these books and as it turns out, I already had RP Clark's book in my Kindle library. Probably bought it as a Bookbub deal? Anyway, am considering it a sign from the universe, lol.

Craft book recs are always appreciated, but lethal to my wallet :-) Do you know Alex Kourvo's blog btw? She reviews a craft book on the 1st of each month.

Am on a bit of a Greek myth binge lately, so about to start reading Song of Achilles.

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Yes, I think that book was on sale a while back because I had it in my library too when I went looking. And I don't know that blog, I'll have to check it out! :) (And I'm definitely NOT on a Greek myth binge. The kiddo had to read The Odyssey last semester for school and I had to basically reread it with him to help him understand it and study. I need a long break from Greek myth! lol.)

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It's only a few, but I like the paragraph of examples that you give in the plan, whetting our appetites for more of what's to come.

Similarly, I like that you include the questions which end in the ultimate: how is the author making me feel that?

It is what the whole essay is about and you have said it in one question.

On the whole I like that it is very clear how one would be able to follow your leading on this.

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