Reading Like A Writer

In my Christmas stocking was one of the better gifts I've received. It was a copy of On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. It's true; writers want to read about writing. The only thing that could have made this gift better would be a chance to discuss it with other writers.

Perhaps that wish will come true; a new book club was formed two weeks ago in Tacoma that aims to read a variety of books on writing.

The Reading Like a Writer Book Club — currently sits eight members and plans to meet up every two weeks — will hold its first meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 2 at founder Sue Pivetta's house in Old Town.

Pivetta started the group to go beyond the typical writing critiques of grammar and punctuation. 

Good writing, she says, "Is not about mechanics, it's more about the language."

This is the concept of the first book to be discussed, Reading Like A Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them, by Francine Prose. The premise is an exploration of the techniques of writing style hidden in the dialogue of books we read, or more specifically, some of the books that Prose admires.

While Pivetta says the group will collectively choose future books — with King's book in the running — the lean will be toward classics, such as The Elements of Style by Stunk and White.

For more information, or to join the group, visit the Reading Like a Writer Book Club Meetup page.