In my last post, I talked about the first two books that I read this month. I talked about #SavvyBusinessOwner and If You Tell, a Non-Fiction/Self-Help novel and True Crime novel, respectively. I guess I’m kind of on a self-help kick, because the next book I read was Talking to Crazy. I actually chose this book hoping that it would help me to write conflict into my fiction novels and in a weird way it did. When I got into some of the emotional digging, I needed a serious break. So, I picked up The Will and the Wilds. The cover art really pulled me in, and I have read this author before, so I felt like I trusted it would be a good read.
Talking to Crazy
Okay, so like I mentioned above, I grabbed this book because I wanted some help writing conflict. I know that seems really backwards, but sometimes I find it helpful to read books about how to fix a problem because they do usually cover what the problem is. In this book, the author starts out with the first chapter called Understanding Crazy, which was super helpful for me. I really wanted to find out more about why some people can just jump into conflict with no holds barred. I feel like this helped me get into the mind set of some of my more toxic fictional characters.
On a personal note, I liked the exercises in this book that help you understand your own crazy. The book gives a lot of tips on how to deal with those people that are not afraid to stir up conflict in your life. The author talks about The Eight-Step Pause, which helps you calm down, so you don’t join the other person and end up embarrassing yourself because they work you up.
I’m sure we all have those people in our lives that can be difficult, and I think this book was helpful. Did it change my life? No. But I don’t think it was really supposed to either. It’s a good thing to add to your emotional toolbox.
My favorite part of the book was the chapter on Talking to Crazy. Here’s a quote that the author suggests using when someone is verbally attacking you:
“I can’t say I like your tone or style, but just so I don’t miss the point you’re making—what is it exactly that you’d like me to get from this?”
The Will and the Wilds
I didn’t even read the description of this book before I downloaded it. I had heard of Charlie N. Holmberg from The Paper Magicians, so I figured this book would probably be a reliable read. I was right. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Enna (the main character) and Maekallus (the devilish mysting).
It’s kind of like a classic fairytale where Enna is forced into kissing him (while he’s in a really horrible bubbling, tar condition by the war). This makes Maekallus steal part of her soul and in the process, he starts to feel for the first time.
It’s for sure an interesting premise and I think the author does a great job pulling it all together. I really enjoyed this book and it served as a nice refresher when I was talking to crazy just a little too much.
That is all for my recent reads but hop by my blog tomorrow to find out about 3 common submission mistakes I saw when I worked in publishing! I’ll see you there.
If you’ve read either of these books, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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