Like a monstrous snail, a toilet slides into a living room on a track of wet, demanding to be loved.
It is impossible, and we tender our sincerest regrets. …

From “With Sincerest Regrets,” Russell Edson

I came late to “Writing Down the Bones,” by Natalie Goldberg (1986)–just this year, in fact. I was enchanted by it, edified and refreshed by its joy and candor. (Read it.)

One of the many things for which I am grateful to Natalie is introducing me to Russell Edson’s poetry. (Click above to read the rest of the poem on a site that has permission to reprint it.) Its allusions and imagery are bizarre, yet weirdly intimate.

And unforgettable.

Do you want your book, your prose, to be unforgettable? Find and read unforgettable writing. Think about what makes it special. Talk about it. Adopt its ideas, if only for an exercise, and write some of your own, “in the style of” the author.

Your uniqueness is not in question. Own it. Learn to express it. Make your writing unforgettable.

If you’d like the hard-copy version of “Joel’s BookProgram™: The Simple Secret To Writing A Non-Fiction Book In 30 Days Or Less, At 1 Hour/Day!” just click on the title to order it!

And if you want to talk to me about writing your book, email me for a free 15-minute consultation.

That’s a quote from one of the attendees of the Book Writing Intensive I held at my home in Mountain View, CA, yesterday. She told me the Intensive gave her what she needs to complete the 2 books she’s working on. I had promised the attendees that, regardless of where they were in their book projects, by the end of the day, they’d be fully equipped to complete their books following whatever timetable they chose. The group assured me before they left that I had kept my promise.

The group had some fascinating people, including a forensic psychiatrist, an MD who is also an African shaman, a documentary filmmaker, and a psychotherapist. The resultant group dynamics were wonderful–energetic, engaging, encouraging, and uplifting.

We had a buffet lunch in place, so we were together for about 7.5 hours, continuously. By the end of the day, everyone was inspired–and ready for a nap…:-)

The next one will be toward the end of August. Watch for an announcement.

There’s no better way to get your book under way than to come and spend the day with me at my home. On Sunday, 6/28/09, we’ll be gathering in my living room for a day of book-writing intensity. The participants will come away with everything they need to write their books quickly and well.

Interested? Click here for more details.

I am delighted to report the 3 winners chosen from the HUNDREDS who submitted their entries to my “done for you” book service! They are Jonathan Brown, Debra White, and Melissa Suey! Congratulations! They have been contacted and will soon get to experience my “done for you” book service. Here’s what they won:

I have never offered this package for free before. I normally charge $1997 for this service. But as part of The “Done for You” Giveaway of the Century, you can win one!

If you are one of my winners, I will interview you and write the book for you! Here’s how it works:

1. I send you to a short on-line questionnaire; you fill it out.
2. We make an appointment for an interview.
3. I call you and interview you.
4. A short time later, I send you a draft of your book for your approval.
5. I make any needed changes, and send you your final document, ready to publish! I also send you exact instructions for getting it published inexpensively and quickly. (Or you can retain me to do that step for you, too, at additional cost.)

My normal charge for this done-for-you service is $1997. But if you are one of 3 winners in my “done for you” giveaway, it is yours for FREE!

Jon Peddie told me about this–an approach to writing fiction by Randy Ingermanson, who is a PhD physicist who became a successful fiction writer. It bears some similarity to my “Diamond Plan” for writing non-fiction, but is, I believe, better suited to fiction. Worth looking it, for sure.

Check out this blog. It’s got excellent stuff–and references to other resources for creative and fiction writers

An excellent post on what NOT to remember from your English classes.

I focus mostly on non-fiction books for adults. At this Publisher’s Weekly blog, writers of children’s books will find lots of useful information — and some less useful, like today’s spoof.