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January 24, 2010
110 books in 2010. #2: What It Is
It’s probably too early in the year to report that I have discovered my favorite book of 2010, but time will tell if I find another book as original, moving and useful as What It Is by Lynda Barry.
What kind of book is What It Is? Now that’s a tough question. The short answer is that it’s a
non-fiction autobiographical how-to-write comic book.
Confused? Quite frankly, so was I. I found the book after attending a web workshop called Visual Thinking for Writers, produced by VizThink, an organization that promotes visual thinking. The session was facilitated by Austin Kleon, who calls himself “a writer who draws” and who recommended What It Is.
So, I bought it. And, when it arrived, I didn’t know what to make of it, so I left it on the table in my office, occasionally flipping through the pages to browse the funky drawings and comic-strip-looking pages.
Then last week, I decided I would sit with the book until something happened. Somewhat to my surprise, something did. About halfway through, I was completely transfixed. I developed a crush. I fell in love.
Here’s why:
- What It Is is a valuable book for writers, especially if you need inspiration, are trying to get out of the corporate-speak trap, or need to overcome a block. Although the advice is geared toward writing fiction, I’m finding that it applies to any kind of writing.
- Artists would also benefit from the book, especially to understand the interplay between memory and visuals and writing.
- If you need help being creative, What It Is offers practical suggestions for how you can “keep the pen moving” to stimulate ideas.
Are there any negatives? Yes, indeed. The title is terrible (What? It Is?). A contents page and some introductory copy would have been helpful; as it is, you have to plunge into the book without knowing how it works. And if you’re very literal, and expect precise recipes, What It Is will probably not work for you.
For me, despite its weaknesses, the book is a revelation. It not only is helping me with my writing, it's also encouraging me to learn to draw.
Seek inspiration? Consider What It Is.
Posted by Alison Davis at January 24, 2010 10:09 AM
(Find me around the web)
