From veteran teacher and acclaimed author Joni B. Cole comes the revised and expanded edition of her popular writing guide Good Naked. Once again, Cole's humor and wisdom shine through as she debunks long-held misconceptions of how we're supposed to write, replacing them with advice that works. Feeling overwhelmed? Having trouble getting started or staying motivated? In this edition, Cole offers more stories, strategies, tips on craft, and exercises to serve new and seasoned writers from the first draft to the final edit. Writers will even find help making peace with rejection. Admirers as well as newcomers to Cole's work appreciate her uniquely cheerful approach, time tested to foster creativity and productivity. Keeping this generous and essential guide close by will provide a jump start to inspiration and a daily reminder of the meaning, humor, and happiness that can be discovered in your own writing life.
Joni B. Cole teaches creative writing at her own Writer's Center in Vermont and as an independent workshop facilitator at Dartmouth College. She is a frequent teacher and speaker at academic programs, conferences, and social-service organizations across the country. Cole is the author of six books and a contributor to The Writer as well as the host of the podcast Author, Can I Ask You?
Gold Stars: Preface to the Second Edition Cheerleader for Mediocrity: Preface to the First Edition Planet Writer First Things First (Not) Planet Writer The Writer from Vermont Who Needs Your Writing Survival of the Optimist You Know You're Not a Writer When . . . In Good Company What a Week! Anyhoo! (Learning from Rejection without Losing Heart) Good Naked If You Don't Know Where You Are Going . . . Don't Fix; Reconstitute Good Naked Can I Be Honest? The Reverse Curse The Great American Thing Getting the "Other" Right Every. Single. Day. Thief of Joy The Church of the Creative Process A Case for Inefficiency Seeing Blue Drama Queen Seeing Blue A Walk around the Block Heart to Heart Decluttering Last Typo Standing: An Open Letter to the One That Got Away Credit Where Credit Is Due Happy Endings Acknowledgments About the Author
"Belongs on every writer's bookshelf next to their copy of Strunk and White. . . . You don't have to suffer for your art, and Cole will make you laugh out loud and nod in agreement as she explains why."--C. I. Dennis, author of the Vince Tanzi series "Brilliant, instructive, and witty . . . an essential read for everyone who wants to write or keep writing."--Gina Barreca, author of ten books and the Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Connecticut "Joyful, tough-minded, and heartening, these pages offer encouragement to everyone from beginners to experienced writers. . . . One of the best books for writers I've read in a very long time."--Cynthia Huntington, Frederick Sessions Beebe '35 Professor in the Art of Writing, Dartmouth College, and National Book Award finalist for poetry "A great deal of practical value for aspiring writers and seasoned authors alike."--Midwest Book Review "A humorous examination of popular writing that shows readers how their first drafts can lend to a process that increases creative impulses and finished products."--Donovan's Bookshelf
