Table of Contents is a series that collects stories from around the Internet that will inspire you to keep writing and reading. To share writing news with us, leave a message in the comments section or tweet us @WritersBone.

By Daniel Ford

Second That Emotion

According to an Associated Press feature, Smokey Robinson can’t stop writing.

"I write on the plane, on the bus, on the train, I write in the bathroom. I do have a bunch of songs that I'm very anxious to record."

This is great news for the rest of us. Don’t stop Smokey! Don’t ever stop!

The 74-year-old musician has an album coming out Aug. 19 called “ Smokey & Friends.” It features duets with the likes of Elton John, Steven Tyler, John Legend, and James Taylor.

Baseball Writer

With the Little League World Series in progress, Williamsport is constantly in the sports news. But it wasn’t a particular 12-year-old that caught my eye recently (with the exception of female fireballer Mo’ne Davis), but writer Austin Gisriel, who published a book on former Detroit Tigers pitcher Cletus Elwood “Boots” Poffenberger.

Gisriel was interviewed by Herald-Mail Media and one of his answers stood out to me:

"Sometimes, however, I have to force myself to forget about pulling weeds and cleaning up the garage and write."

He’s speaking literally, but how many times do us writers have to pull ourselves away from our self-imposed to-do lists in order to sit down and do what we love? What are some of the ways you pull yourself away from the weeds and sit down at the computer (you can answer in the comments section or tweet us @WritersBone)?

Check out Gisriel’s official website to learn more about the author and his work.

Risky Business

Ever have a family member, friend, or love interest get bent out of shape after reading about a character that might resembled them too closely?

That certainly was the case for author David Gordon, who talks about his ex-wife unfriending him on Facebook after reading his last novel, in his essay in The New York Times.

He speaks to a fear that we’ve mentioned quite a bit here at Writer’s Bone. Many writers don’t like sharing their work because they are afraid it won’t be liked or it might offend/insult a certain readership. Gordon reconciles this fear with this invaluable insight:

"Writing then, must feel risky in order to feel like life."

Yes. A million times yes.

Gordon also has a wise friend that gives him a hilariously sparkling piece of advice at the end of the essay. A must read.

Lauren Bacall, Writer

Acting legend Lauren Bacall, who died Aug. 12 at the age of 89, may be best remembered for her roles in “To Have or Have Not” and “Key Largo,” but she was also a writer!

According The Los Angeles Times, she wrote three memoirs, By Myself, Now, and By Myself and Then Some, and said that writing was the “most complete experience” she’s ever had. She also wrote her first one in longhand on yellow legal pads!

I remember Bacall from her role in “My Fellow Americans” as the wife of former President Jack Lemmon. Her advice on swearing is the reason I curse as freely as I do.

Bears in Kilts

Author Vonnie Davis explains to USA Today how she started writing about Scottish bears.

Really, if you need more explanation than that to read the article, there is something seriously wrong with you.

For posts from The Boneyard, check out our full archive.