Thursday, June 21, 2012

Naked, Drunk, and Writing

No, I'm not naked, drunk, and writing! That's the title of a book I bought recently, and I love it. It's written by Adair Lara, and also has the subtitle: Shed Your Inhibitions and Craft a Compelling Memoir or Personal Essay. 


I found it while searching on Amazon for "writerly" books on craft, and especially for writing memoir. Somewhere during my scrolling, I came across this gem. After noticing the 63 rave reviews (4-1/2 stars), and taking a peek inside (love that option), I purchased it. Adair writes in terms we can all understand, and does so with my kind of humor.

In the first chapter, she says she called it Naked, Drunk, and Writing because she likes the title and somebody at a party once remarked to her that books with "naked" in the title always sell well. And then says:  "And also because writing about yourself is like stripping down to your Bali bra in a crowd so that others can see the stretch  marks on your belly (and be assured about their own)."

This book is now my favorite in my collection of "writerly" books on craft. Right after it, in no particular order are Old Friend from Far Away by Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. In fact, Ms. Lamott wrote a blurb for the back of Adair's book: "Very savvy and smart and hugely entertaining."

I haven't read all of it yet, and it's not the kind of book someone reads through like fiction. I read a sentence or two, a paragraph or two. I underline things in pencil that I particularly love and want to remember. It has writing exercises, too. I can't say enough about this book. I'm so happy I stumbled across it.  



 *Welcome to my newest followers, Word Nerd and Kelly and Angellica Bollier I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *


"Writing is a kind of word-drunkenness that makes you want to do that -- to take off your clothes and turn your experiences into art, despite who may be watching, despite your embarrassment, despite anything the world and your own self-doubts throw against you." -- Adair Lara

19 comments:

  1. Think of the hits you'd get on your blog if you admitted that you WERE naked, drunk, and writing!

    Sounds like a writerly book I could get into...fully clothed, of course.

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  2. Sounds like a good book. However, anyone who knows this author and saw NAKED in a book by her would surely RUN the other way! Nice to see you today, Becky.

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  3. Darn. Guess I'll have to scrap that idea for a book called, "Clothed, Sober, and Planning to Write."

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  4. Thanks, Kim, Bookie, and Val! You gals all crack me up!! :)

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  5. You are such a kick, Becky. Sounds like a good book.
    Have a great eve ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

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  6. Any book with the word NAKED in the title would draw my attention! :)

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  7. Hi Marydon! Great to see you again & I'm glad you get a kick outta me!:)

    Hey DL! Yep, I think most people would think that...especially men! :)
    Good to see you again, too!

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  8. Oh drat. Now I have another book on my list!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  9. Hi Becky!! Thanks for following me and recommending this book. I just may have to look into buying it. I have a few other books on the craft of writing and this one definitely sounds like it should be in my collection.

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  10. Ha! love it too (got it, read it, didn't finish it) and found a fellow writer who worked with her one on one... for awhile it was a dream... and then... POOF... I let it go.

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  11. Hi Pat! Yes, I think you'd really like this book!

    Hey Kelly! Good to see you again! And yes, I think you'd like this book, too.

    Hi there Ms. Green Monkey! I'm intrigued....I need more info, please!

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  12. Thanks for the review, Becky. This sound like a really good one to read. Have a great weekend! :-)

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  13. I'll have to keep my eyes open for it. Sounds great.

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  14. Becky, you know I'm going to read this book, don't you! I hope it sells a gazillion copies!!

    I am putting together my summer reading list and posting it on my blog pretty soon. I'm down to the last book on the list, "The Emperor of All Maladies," a history of cancer. Why am I reading this??? I have absolutely no idea, but it is certainly interesting.

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  15. It does sound good and does have a catchy title. Thanks for the recommend. I'll put it on my wish list.

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  16. Hello Beth! Thanks so much for stopping and commenting! Nice to meet you!

    Hi Daisy! Yes, I highly recommend it

    Hi Kathy! Thanks! How ya doin'?

    Hi Judie! Thank you. And your book does sound interesting, I must admit!

    Hi Clarissa! Thanks, and yes...love the title!

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  17. I will remember this book and try to get it. It sounds good!

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