The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear [Paperback]

Ralph Keyes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0805074678 | ISBN-13: 978-0805074673 | Publication Date: October 1, 2003

Katherine Anne Porter called courage "the first essential" for a writer. "I have to talk myself into bravery with every sentence," agreed Cynthia Ozick, "sometimes every syllable." E. B. White said he admired anyone who "has the guts to write anything at all."An author who has taught writing for more than thirty years, Ralph Keyes assures readers that anxiety is felt by writers at every level and can be harnessed to produce honest and disciplined work., Keyes offers specifics on how to make the best use of writers' workshops and conferences and how to handle criticism of works in progress; he also exposes the most common "false fear busters" (needing new equipment, a better setting, a new agent). Throughout, he includes the comments of many accomplished writers--Pat Conroy, Amy Tan, Rita Dove, Isabel Allende, and others--on how they transcended their own anxieties to produce great works.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Keyes (Nice Guys Finish Seventh) here suggests that writerly anxiety is an inevitable and necessary part of the writing process. Drawing on his own experience and that of others (often from Paris Review or PW interviews), he explores the varieties of anxieties, for example, "page fright"; the pitfalls of putting family and friends into print; and the tension between fear of self-exposure and thirst for attention. In the book's second half, he explores both harnessing and "finessing" fear, arguing that "inner conviction" is more important than technique. He surveys authors' tics and tricks to get started and the question of circulating works-in-progress. Many writing problems "are really courage problems," Keyes concludes, after suggesting that too many good writers give up too soon. While this book lacks the scope and the personal voice of, say, Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, its psychological acuity should still help lonely scribblers.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Keyes, a widely experienced writer and teacher of writing himself, confronts the major component of fear in every writer's life as most writing courses never do. He shows that while the writer's anxieties-of unearthing unsavory truths about oneself, of exposing oneself to ridicule, of hurting trusting friends-cannot be overcome, they can be harnessed and used to develop serious, powerful writing. Neither preachy nor judgmental, but written by one writer speaking to others, Keyes uses a wealth of contemporary writers from Margaret Atwood to E.B. White as examples, first to identify writers' most common fears, then to discuss how writers have successfully grappled with them. Strong on theory and written with rare directness and wit, his small book is above all practical. Highly recommended for anyone who writes, wants to write, or is taking a writing course.
Charles C. Nash, Cottey Coll., Nevada, Mo.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805074678
• ISBN-13: 978-0805074673
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ralph Keyes's sixteen books include the bestselling Is There Life After High School? which became a Broadway musical still produced in this country and abroad. His book Chancing It was a New York Times Notable Book, and The Courage to Write has been in print for 15 years. Keyes has discussed his work on Oprah, The Today Show, Tonight Show, ABC World News Tonight and 20/20 as well as NPR's Fresh Air, All Things Considered, Talk of the Nation, and On the Media. In addition to his books he has written hundreds of articles and essays for publications ranging from GQ to Good Housekeeping. An article Keyes co-authored for the Harvard Business Review won its prestigious McKinsey Award for Best Article of the Year. After graduating from Antioch College in 1967 Keyes spent was Assistant to the Publisher of Long Island's Newsday for two years. After that he spent a decade as a Fellow of the Center for Studies of the Person in La Jolla, California, then worked as a freelance writer in the Philadelphia area Keyes now lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio with his wife Muriel where he writes, lectures, and is a Trustee of the Antioch Writers' Workshop.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this Book If You Want to Write But . . ., February 25, 2000

By 

Helene Hoffman (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear (Paperback)

This book is a remarkable tool for any writer. You want to write but: have no time, are too scared, think you are no good . . . whatever the reason, this book answers it, in such an understanding and powerful way, that you think you have no choice but to put pen to paper at last! It is truly unique. The author also dispells a lot of myths about writing (how difficult it is; you have to suffer, etc.), and, most importantly, deals with each and every fear a human being could possible have which prevents him or her from creating. He states emphatically that all writing takes courage, sometimes tremendous courage, but that overcoming the fears, and finally doing the writing is well worth it. By the way, this book is definitely not just for writers; I gave it as a gift to an artist friend, and she found it to be so encouraging that she entered a work in a contest because of it. In addition, I also loved the section in the book where he explains that we naturally write about that which we have never "resolved" in our past; I had never seen this written about before, and it blew me away. The subject matter I write about definitely falls into this category. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, Beautifully Written, July 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear (Paperback)

If there is one book that I would give a beginning writer--and wish I'd found much earlier--it is The Courage to Write. It would be suitable for writers of any level, in truth, for it is written so well, with such attentiveness to the writer's anxieties and struggles. The final chapter, focusing as it does on determination and will to write, versus brilliance without substance, is alone worth the price of the book.

To be sure, the book does not dwell much on accumulated rejection slips that so often add further anxiety--that make one wonder if selling insurance wouldn't be better after all. In such a case, I would recommend reading the first and last chapters deeply and take their messages once more to heart: do you have the will and determination? do you have the courage (i.e. are you getting rejection slips because you are still skating on the surface of things, being glib, hiding behind a technique or style)?

The chapter on foggy, impenetrable, jargon-laden writing is also invaluable. I see no crime in being clear; it is a substantial relief to read that I am not alone in this matter. The gift of this book to the college freshman in a composition course would be money well-spent.

Perhaps of greatest benefit is that this book makes the reader/writer understand that he or she is highly typical in the fears, delay-tactics, rites and totems that are employed in the hopes of approaching, even taming, the empty page. Not everyone has access to writing courses or groups; some are impassioned and have the will and determination, but decide they'd rather not cloister themselves off in an M.F.A. program. A few good books will do as companionable guides in the hard but wholly rewarding work of writing. This book should be first among those chosen as such a companion.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you ever wanted to write but were afraid to try..., July 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear (Paperback)

You are not alone. The author tells us that the difference between a person who wants to write and a person who actually writes is the willingness to face fear- and write anyway. In a warm writing style, Mr. Keyes teaches how to capitalize on anxiety instead of giving in to it. Fear takes many forms- fear of...rejection, criticism, ridicule, looking silly, failure, success. Writing is a lonely endeavor.The author includes remarks from accomplished writers and lets us know that fear, in all its forms, is common. My first book is scheduled for release next year and I am terrified nobody will buy it. After reading this book, I know I am not alone. Only 1% of the people who want to write ever write. If you want to be in this 1%, I recommend reading The Courage to Write.