Suggested Reading

Hello hello

I am reading a book that has really opened up a flood gate of thoughts that will benefit my writing. I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread of books that have impacted your writing.. not necessarily how to books.

The book I am reading is Bound for Glory by Woodie Guthrie. I am 4 chapters in and I have to say that this book constantly reminds me of the wussification of my generations and each generation that followed. It also reminds me of how we neglect the little things in life because we have so much. This is the story of Woodie Guthrie..in his own words. He starts out in a wealthy family.. and the story follows him as all that wealth is stripped away. He focuses on the most insinificant things that have somehow come to determine how significant each of us feel..and he does it in a tone that pulls you in.

I highly highly highly reccomend this book guys. I'm not even finished yet and I already have so many ideas floating around my head...

Woodie was, perhaps, the greatest songwriter of all time.. and his story telling skills transfer smoothly over to the book.

I hope you guys will check it out, and look forward to your reccomendations

Bob Dylan - Chronicles.

http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-One-Bob-Dylan/dp/0743244583

Written by the man himself. The guy can write. Not just lyrics and songs... but prose. The section detailing his first afternoon in New York before he hit, sitting in a coffee shop eating, and looking at the waitress. It's great stuff.

Truly an inspiration to get it out of your head and onto paper.

On topic, Jimmy Webb's Songsmith is really good, though I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner--he sometimes blurs the line between "rule" and "guideline".

Regarding "Bound For Glory", it's always a good idea to remember that Woody Guthrie is completely full of {censored}.

You have to believe something before it's worth remembering. Thus far, this biography has not been all that complimentary of Guthrie. It is more about the world that surrounds him. I've yet to read about him bragging on himself in any kind of way up to this point in the book, and people lie to make themselves look better imo.. so thus far, no reason to believe he's full of {censored}.. we'll see how the rest of the book turns out though.

Whether he is full of {censored} or not does not change the fact that this is a very thought provoking book though.

That Dylan book is next on my list.. after I get through this and Cohen Various Positions which I am ready at the same time.

I loved the book, but Woody was a self-mythologizer on par with Dylan.

As a companion piece, and to broaden your perspective on Woody, I recommend you read Woody Guthrie: A Life by Joe Klein...pretty exhaustive biography, and sheds some light on Woody's...let's say...unsavory characteristics. I'm reading it now, and afterwards I think I will check out Bound for Glory.

Anything by the poet Billy Collins gets me inspired to write.

Thats why people are still talking about him today. I see him as a pop star who knew how to create an image. Same with Dylan, Robert Johnson, Steven Tyler, Davy Crockett, this list could go on for a while

This is kinda terrible, but Woodie Guthrie always bored me, although I liked that Wilco Album Mermaid Ave. a couple years ago. But I also hate the Who and don't really care much for Led Zeppelin, either. So my taste in popular music is suspect.

Check out Steve Martin's "Born Standing Up." It's not about songwriting, but the insight into the discipline and sacrifices necessary for artistic success is applicable to all creative endeavors. It's a fast read, well written. An engaging story too.

A huge to that!

I second/third the Joe Klein and Steve Martin recos.

I watched the Billy Collins docu on Woodie. He was definitely not perfect and seems to be despised in his own home town.. However, there is something about him that I connect with.. maybe it's the image that he created for himself and not actually him, but it's very inspiring to see somebody standing up for their beliefs and venturing out into the world with nothing but their will to survive...

that could be why I was so in love with John Krackors(spelling) Into The Wild when I was younger.. something in me is completely unreasonable and wanting to give up all my security and safety for uncertainty and excitement.. Good thing the other half of me is a wuss..lol

Definitely going to read everything you guys have listed so far.

long live Alexander Supertramp!!!!

one of my favorite books...there are so many days when I'm just a hair shy of disappearing like that.

EDIT: the movie is really good as well.

You might add Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" to your list. Also, some of Ken Kesey's work like "Electric Kool-aid Acid Test" are fun reads.