WRITERS CO-OP: A WRITER COMMUNITY FOR YOU.

Sue Ranscht

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10 comments on You: In the Spotlight

You: In the Spotlight

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Even if you visit Writers Co-op just to read the posts and comments without leaving any evidence of your visit, I have an invitation for you.

A couple weeks ago, Carl proposed a post that would encourage the members of this community to share their thoughts and experiences about the influences books have had on their lives. He referred to the seven topics author Pankaj Mishra addressed in his 1/26/24 article in The Guardian: (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/jan/26/pankaj-mishra-vs-naipaul-taught-me-you-can-write-about-your-country-with-honesty)

Here they are:

My earliest reading memory

My favorite book growing up

The book that changed me as a teenager

The writer who changed my mind

The book that made me want to be a writer

The book I could never read again

The book I am currently reading

I invite you to write a little about each topic in the body of an email to me at stranscht@sbcglobal.net. Use “In the Spotlight” in the subject line. No attachments, please. There is no deadline. We will not share your email address with anyone.

Writers Co-op will publish your responses on this site, as a semi-regular feature that Carl and I believe will spark comments and conversations, inspiration to read books we’ve never read before, and possibly even new online friendships.

I hope you’ll all take part. Don’t be shy.

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Photo credit: Jez Timms, Unsplash.com

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Sue Ranscht

Having survived valve repair surgery and an experimental cardiac bypass at age 5, three years before it was an accepted medical procedure, Susan grew into the size of her overworked and enlarged heart. Maybe she thought she had enough to give it away — twice. Both times, she had to retrieve the shattered pieces and puzzle them back together. She thanks her Dad for the only advice of his she ever followed to the letter: “Never get married. Learn to take care of yourself.” So of course she is a writer. Susan has co-written a YA SciFi novel, and has three more novels in various stages of evolution. She’s had several short stories published in other people’s anthologies, some of which were contest-related. Let her tell you a story…

10 responses to “You: In the Spotlight”

  1. mimispeike Avatar
    mimispeike

    This is going to take some thinking about. I’ll get on it.

    What I am currently reading is easy. I’m reading The Book Thief, that GD put me onto. (Thank you, GD) A great story but also a lesson in style. And, with the additional material at the end, having to do with the author’s process, I see what an outline can be and what it can do for you. An outline is not necessarily a timeline, it is a notation of possibilities.

    I do that already, but it never would have occurred to me to call it an outline.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Sue Ranscht Avatar
      Sue Ranscht

      Sounds like The Book Thief’s additional material might qualify it as one of the books that changed your mind, lol.

      I make notes, too, but don’t think of them as an outline — more as a guide. Except in reference to artwork and other visual descriptions, I’ve always thought of outlines as detailed structures.

      Liked by 2 people

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  2. Sandy Randall Avatar
    Sandy Randall

    I love this idea. Appreciate the “no deadline” I look forward to this!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Sue Ranscht Avatar
      Sue Ranscht

      And I look forward to your responses!

      Liked by 2 people

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  3. Carl E. Reed Avatar
    Carl E. Reed

    I’m looking forward to reading the responses to gain insight into the authorial influences (for better or for worse, re: “The Book I Could Never Read Again)” that have affected the writers who gather here. Echoing Sandy, I very much appreciate the “no deadline” rule attached to this writing prompt.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Sue Ranscht Avatar
      Sue Ranscht

      You’re planning to submit your own responses, aren’t you Carl? I would love to see those.

      Liked by 2 people

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      1. Carl E. Reed Avatar
        Carl E. Reed

        I will, but I think most will find them somewhat disappointing. (Mine will not be the responses of a Harvard or Yale professor of literature, but rather of a working-class Chicago Irishman who’s read more trash than great books over the course of a misspent lifetime, I’m afraid.) Very much interested in reading the responses of others!

        Liked by 3 people

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  4. mimispeike Avatar
    mimispeike

    FYI: I have finally found the Photoshop file of our logo. I had it in a folder it had no business being in.

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. curtisbausse Avatar
    curtisbausse

    Great suggestion from Carl! It’s a column I read quite often, and was getting round to submitting a post with my own list in any case, but it’s much better, and more interesting, to throw it open to all.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Sue Ranscht Avatar
      Sue Ranscht

      Our first In the Spotlight will post at about midnight your time Monday morning.

      Liked by 2 people

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