I’m a Fan of Ralph’s
May192009
A long time ago, I read a book called Chancing It, about taking risks, that had a big impact on the way I made decisions. Then I read a book called We the Lonely People that helped me codify the things I’d been writing about community. Then I read a book called The Courage to Write and immediately told everybody I knew who was a writer to read it, it’s that important a book. I think I have three copies, but it’s hard to tell; I keep giving them to people, and then buying more because I can’t be without it.
So one day when Ralph Keyes, the author of all three, e-mailed me to get some background on a writer’s conference he was going to be teaching at, I did the fan squee. By myself. He didn’t know. Well, I may have gushed a little. Ralph Keyes was writing ME. And besides I owed this guy. Even if all he’d ever written was The Courage to Write, I’d be his fan for life.
Ralph just wrote again to check in and tell me his new website is up–must be the season for new websites- and it’s great, very clear, just like Ralph’s books, and easy to navigate, just like Ralph’s books, with lots of fascinating stuff in it, just like Ralph’s books. For example, there’s Ralph’s chrome toaster museum.
Yes, there are mixers and blenders in there. Ralph is not a close-minded guy.
Ralph has a new book out that I have not read but that I am sure is wonderful called I Love It When You Talk Retro. I’ll get to that once I read The Post-Truth Era which is about lies and which I got for the research for Nadine’s book. Basically, Ralph Keyes is a guy you should read, starting with The Courage to Write. Best book on writing, ever.
I know, I know, fan squee on my blog. I’m just saying, Ralph is good. You should read him.
Filed in People, Sites & Blogs, Writing
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25 Comments to 'I’m a Fan of Ralph’s'
On May 19, 2009 at 11:29 pm Karin said...
I loved his files room. It made me think of “The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by K. L. Konigsburg. Everyone should have a filing system that looks like that!
On May 21, 2009 at 8:36 pm tennis41 said...
I ordered the book too – maybe it will inspire me out of this funk! You must check out Bob and puppy Gus kayaking for the first time. They saw a whale!
http://bit.ly/15amJH
On May 20, 2009 at 2:10 am SarahP said...
I bought The Courage To Write after reading your recommendation and it really *is* the best book on writing. I re-read it regularly, lend it to friends and put it under my pillow as a cuddly good luck charm (not really the last one, but still). Thanks so much for pointing to Ralph’s site and for reminding me to read his other books!
On May 20, 2009 at 8:11 am susan said...
Oh joy! something else to keep me from working today.
On May 20, 2009 at 8:13 am Allie said...
Aww, it’s okay to fansquee all over one’s blog (even if the expression itself makes it sound kinda…gross). I did it after I met you at Princeton.
But OMG, the files! On one hand, so cool, but on the other, I’m a disposer and it kinds of makes me ill. :/ I appreciate the toasters, though.
On May 20, 2009 at 9:30 am Danielle said...
Hehehe in a sick sort of way. I loved the files. All that knowledge! Which to some would seem useless, but it looks way better than all my accoridian files…
On May 20, 2009 at 9:53 am Lani said...
Just ordered The Courage to Write – looking forward to it. Enjoy your fangirl squee! It’s fun!
On May 20, 2009 at 11:55 am robena grant said...
And here I thought I owned every book on how to write. Like you Lani, I just zipped over to Amazon and ordered The Courage to Write. Yesterday I was thinking about cancelling on going to RWA National because I’m losing courage. Ha ha. Maybe this will help.
Thanks Jenny, your timing was perfect.
On May 20, 2009 at 2:31 pm Brooke said...
Wait, Nadine gets a book?! YAY!
On May 20, 2009 at 2:53 pm Ingrid said...
I don’t know if the problem’s my browser or your website, but the apostrophes come out as question marks on your homepage: I?m a fan of Ralph?s.
The blog page looks normal.
Just letting you know so you can get it fixed before the warranty runs out – if such things exist in the world of web building.
On May 20, 2009 at 3:50 pm Theresa Stevens said...
I love “The Courage to Write,” and if I remember correctly, I read it on your recommendation. It’s wonderful.
On May 20, 2009 at 7:46 pm Lori J. said...
Jenny, this new site is beautiful. I love the mood it creates.
Thanks for the recommendations, I ordered The Courage to Write today. Sounds like a book I need to read.
On May 21, 2009 at 7:55 am JanLo said...
Thanks, Jenny. I also ordered The Courage to Write. You can never have too much encouragement. Never know when someone will say the perfect thing to rev your engines and keep you going through those dark times. Thanks again.
On May 22, 2009 at 8:06 am McB said...
I LOVED
On May 25, 2009 at 9:39 am Penny said...
I’m so happy for you Mcb.
On May 22, 2009 at 12:34 pm Kay T said...
I am planning on ordering this book. This morning heard Concrete and Clay on my Ipod! Did you hear that they used that song on Dancing With the Stars. Not that I watched DWTS, but I did see that dance.
On May 23, 2009 at 1:00 am Jenny said...
Well, C&C is a classic.
McB, I’m glad you loved. Was there a direct object for that sentence or were you just embracing the universe?
Yes, I know I need to get a new post up. I’m on it. Kind of.
On May 23, 2009 at 4:39 pm inkgrrl said...
I love Ralph Keyes – The Courage to Write is one my favorites too. I had no idea he’d written so much other stuff! You’re an angelmuse lady, thank you!
On May 24, 2009 at 12:36 pm McB said...
Oh dear. Apologies, Ms. J. My computer, frustrated at my insistance that it put off doing updates and upgrades and other mysterious “stuff” until it was convenient for me, sometimes takes matters into its own, uh, hands. It was a commentus interruptus which I didn’t realize got submitted. Thank you, BCB, for that not so gentle nudge.
I was responding to Karin’s comment about “The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.” Loved the book. I feel a re-read coming on. And yes, Keyes’ archive does give me sense of wonder.
On May 24, 2009 at 12:40 pm BCB said...
As nudges go, it was quite gentle.
No blood was spilled.
On May 24, 2009 at 5:51 pm robena grant said...
McB, I can’t tell you how much my fingers itched to type in all caps immediately beneath your post, …I LOST. : ) But then I knew someone else with too much time on their hands would put I loved, I lost, I loved again, and we would end up taking over Jenny’s blog just like in the old days (when was that two years ago) and we’d all be in serious trouble, especially if we crashed the shiny new site.
On May 25, 2009 at 12:34 am Jenny said...
Nah, the site is tough. Knock yourselves out.
I’m really amazed you all showed such restraint.
On May 25, 2009 at 10:22 am McB said...
Go ahead and run with it, Robena. And, so you know, the CBs have not changed one wit. And yes, that is a pun.
On May 25, 2009 at 11:41 am Evie Lou Beazley said...
Dear Jenny and cherries and readers galore,
Finally writing first love/lust story. Hard to write lust when sleeping with husband while recalling lust-worthy lifeguard from teen years. I’m persevering, thanks. Reading Tell Me Lies helps with hot scenes build-up. Fast Women also great dialogue for banter between kisses and more. Heard Jenny in Atlanta and Richmond. Keep talking to us, we never grow tired of you. Evie in Tallahassee
On June 21, 2009 at 11:24 am Jenyfer Matthews said...
Ha! I may too order it – and I think he should thank you not only for all these additional sales but because his Amazon ranking is currently pretty high