Deep Writing: 7 Principles That Bring Ideas to Life [Paperback]

Eric Maisel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 1999

A nationally recognized psychotherapist and creativity consultant shows writers how to overcome psychological blocks in order to create with passion, power, and ease.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Psychotherapist Maisel, also an author of fiction and nonfiction, now works as a creativity consultant. He defines deep writing as "writing passionately and well about those things that really matter to you." It involves seven principles: hushing the mind, holding the intention, making choices, honoring the process, befriending the work, evaluating, and doing what's required. Maisel follows five fictional writers through the seven steps and offers various exercises, which include such activities as writing a vision statement (to hold the intention) and finding a totem object to squeeze, thus giving your unfinished novel a loving hug (to befriend the work). "This approach may sound loony to you," he says, but writers who take his workshops "come around." This psychological approach sets Maisel's work apart from the many inspirational how-to-write books. For public or academic libraries where interest warrants.?Nancy P. Shires, East Carolina Univ., Greenville, NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (February 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874779472
• ISBN-13: 978-0874779479
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WRITING WITH PASSION, August 25, 2000

By 

Bonita L. Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deep Writing: 7 Principles That Bring Ideas to Life (Paperback)

Many potential writers want to write but are stuck on the blank first page. Others write an endless array of words whose content (if there is any) means nothing and leaves one dry. Enter Eric Maisel, a writer's analyst, coach, and encourager who shares with us seven principles of becoming a deep writer. What does he mean by writing deeply? He means for us to be able to write passionately and well about those things that really matter to us. Using case studies of five individual writers, he shows us how to work through the principles of hushing the mind, holding the intention, making choices, honoring the process, befriending the work, evaluating the work and doing what is required. Each principle builds on the other to a point where writing becomes a spiritual exercise. I love this book because it enabled me to reflect and pay attention to my own writing. Its varied principles and quirky exercises stimulated my mind and fostered new ideas for the printed page. Purchasing "Deep Writing" was almost like having my own personal coach to help me become more intentional in what I do as a writer. Maisel is intentional as to what he wants a writer to do and keeps one to the grindstone. He deals with the reality of what encompasses the writing business and how we must make choices in dealing with those realities. I highly recommend this work to all writers who wish to write with integrity and passionately.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for serious writers, October 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Deep Writing: 7 Principles That Bring Ideas to Life (Paperback)

I loved this book! I've been a writer for 20 years and I've read many books, but none that helped me like Deep Writing. It's obvious to me that Dr. Maisel knows how the writer's mind works. I especially liked 'Honoring The Process'. '...every piece of writing is a voyage into the unknown, a voyage hard on the navigator and full of potential disasters.' I have literally rediscovered myself. I plan to buy copies for my writer friends.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy the Process, September 21, 2000

By 

Darren (Jersey Shore, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deep Writing: 7 Principles That Bring Ideas to Life (Paperback)

Deep Writing does not require deep reading. It is an easy read and although it offers very practical ideas and strategies, it is far more than a practical "how to" writing guide. I highly recommend it for beginning writers and those seasoned writers who are experiencing a loss of momentum, flow, focus or blocks to creativity. Deep Writing will give you the tools to get you started on meaningful & purposeful writing in addition to helping you remove any roadblocks to passionate and genuine writing. While helping you enjoy the process of writing, Maisel (who is also a psychotherapist) also helps the you along the process of 'knowing yourself' better. Some case vignettes of writers and artists he has helped along the way richly add to the utility of his ideas.