Survey: What books inspire you most for writing?

bareket57 · 02-14-2011, 02:35 AM

I just posted on this thread in the main internet marketing discussion forum:
What is the MOST USEFUL BOOK you've ever read?

My Question is: What books inspire you most for writing?

The above thread has inspired me to do this survey among fellow copywriters and Please God, compile a recommended books list for copywriters.

Thanks in advance for any co-operation.

Oxbloom · 02-14-2011, 10:27 AM

I read marketing books because I want to market better. I can't imagine anything less inspiring, however. I guess if you're the sort who is solely driven by profit, maybe that's inspiration enough.

What inspires me to write are good writers.

A David Foster Wallace or Vladimir Nabokov inspires me to go out and use words and thoughts in creative, original ways.

A Douglas Adams or (God help me) Woody Allen inspires me to go out and say something that I hope will be be funny and original and maybe with a little luck compelling.

Reading a good sales letter inspires me in the sense that it gives me a sense of what is possible with the written word in this realm where I make my living. And these days, I understand the craft well enough that I can look below the hood and see the gears spinning and get a sense of how it all works. But at the same time, it kind of makes me want to run to the garage, start up the Volvo, and suck on the tailpipe, because it reminds me how fragile and manipulatable that human mind really is.

Alex Cohen · 02-14-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

What books inspire you most for writing?

Generally, books don't inspire me for writing copy.

But I'll tell you what does. Reading successful sales letters written by copywriters I admire.

Alex

2marketnow · 02-14-2011, 11:08 AM

Any book that makes me think on my own. It is one thing to read a book of any nature but when a book is conceptualized in a way that it makes you go beyond the spoon feeding of the author it is a great read. I think an a movie that kind of demo's this is Hook. That man went beyond Peter Pan and into original thought. That's a beautiful thing.

MrPolarZero · 02-14-2011, 08:46 PM

I often read novels. It teaches me new words and statements which I can use for my writing tasks.

marciayudkin · 02-14-2011, 08:54 PM

For my anniversary of 30 years in business, I created a list of the 30 top business books I've ever read, those that had a tremendous impact on me and those I can't help recommending again and again.

You can see it here:

Marcia Yudkin's 30 Favorite Business Books

Comments welcome!

Marcia Yudkin

Pusateri · 02-14-2011, 09:10 PM

There's a sticky at the top of this forum called "Top copywriting books...ever."

If you're looking for nonbusiness books that can help you write better copy, pick up anything by John McPhee. He can make a page-turner out of the driest subject.

wcmylife · 02-15-2011, 12:55 AM

I have a lot of swipe files/ads and sales letters that I go through...both hard and soft copy but since you asked about books - the one's I turn to most often are by Dan Kennedy.

02-14-2011, 02:35 AM	#1
bareket57 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Beloved ♥ Israel Posts: 209 Thanks: 25 Thanked 51 Times in 40 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Survey: What books inspire you most for writing? I just posted on this thread in the main internet marketing discussion forum: What is the MOST USEFUL BOOK you've ever read? My Question is: What books inspire you most for writing? The above thread has inspired me to do this survey among fellow copywriters and Please God, compile a recommended books list for copywriters. Thanks in advance for any co-operation.

02-14-2011, 10:27 AM	#2
Oxbloom J.W. Acre War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 440 Thanks: 74 Thanked 244 Times in 139 Posts	Re: Survey: What books inspire you most for writing? I read marketing books because I want to market better. I can't imagine anything less inspiring, however. I guess if you're the sort who is solely driven by profit, maybe that's inspiration enough. What inspires me to write are good writers. A David Foster Wallace or Vladimir Nabokov inspires me to go out and use words and thoughts in creative, original ways. A Douglas Adams or (God help me) Woody Allen inspires me to go out and say something that I hope will be be funny and original and maybe with a little luck compelling. Reading a good sales letter inspires me in the sense that it gives me a sense of what is possible with the written word in this realm where I make my living. And these days, I understand the craft well enough that I can look below the hood and see the gears spinning and get a sense of how it all works. But at the same time, it kind of makes me want to run to the garage, start up the Volvo, and suck on the tailpipe, because it reminds me how fragile and manipulatable that human mind really is.

02-14-2011, 11:08 AM	#4
2marketnow Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NOVA Posts: 42 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Survey: What books inspire you most for writing? Any book that makes me think on my own. It is one thing to read a book of any nature but when a book is conceptualized in a way that it makes you go beyond the spoon feeding of the author it is a great read. I think an a movie that kind of demo's this is Hook. That man went beyond Peter Pan and into original thought. That's a beautiful thing.
	Julie Gavis http://tinyurl.com/6cvm9qe Six Figure Income Fast

02-14-2011, 08:46 PM	#5
MrPolarZero Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Survey: What books inspire you most for writing? I often read novels. It teaches me new words and statements which I can use for my writing tasks.
	Annuities Best Life Insurance

02-14-2011, 08:54 PM	#6
marciayudkin Marketing Mentor War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maui and Massachusetts Posts: 1,226 Thanks: 139 Thanked 645 Times in 305 Posts Social Networking	Re: Survey: What books inspire you most for writing? For my anniversary of 30 years in business, I created a list of the 30 top business books I've ever read, those that had a tremendous impact on me and those I can't help recommending again and again. You can see it here: Marcia Yudkin's 30 Favorite Business Books Comments welcome! Marcia Yudkin
	Author, Meatier Marketing Copy, available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, Audible audiobook “There are few genuine thought leaders in the field of copywriting. Marcia Yudkin is one of them. The strategies she presents in Meatier Marketing Copy are all easy to understand and implement, yet profoundly insightful. If you want to write marketing copy that sizzles and sells, this book is a must-read.” - Steve Slaunwhite, Author, Start & Run a Copywriting Business, Co-Author, The Wealthy Freelancer

02-14-2011, 09:10 PM	#7
Pusateri Words Rule the World War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: South Texas Coast Posts: 342 Thanks: 314 Thanked 282 Times in 141 Posts	Re: Survey: What books inspire you most for writing? There's a sticky at the top of this forum called "Top copywriting books...ever." If you're looking for nonbusiness books that can help you write better copy, pick up anything by John McPhee. He can make a page-turner out of the driest subject.

02-15-2011, 12:55 AM	#8
wcmylife Spinning A Web War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 308 Thanks: 18 Thanked 25 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Survey: What books inspire you most for writing? I have a lot of swipe files/ads and sales letters that I go through...both hard and soft copy but since you asked about books - the one's I turn to most often are by Dan Kennedy.
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