Customer Reviews

Escaping Into the Open: The Art of Writing True

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is as chatty and inspiring as all of Berg's books. Reading her books is like having a conversation with a good friend over a hot cup of coffee. I love the fact that she did not start out in a career as a writer, but as a nurse with an interest in writing. I particularly enjoyed the writing exercises which were simple and direct. This one now has its place on my shelf next to "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott and "Wild Mind" by Natalie Goldberg. I'm looking forward to Ms. Berg's next book due out in July. I highly recommend this book and all of her fiction.

This is a true "writing workshop." It doesn't talk down to the audience; it makes it clear that publication is not the only measure of success; it explodes many "writing myths." I graduated from an MFA program (in Boston, no less) and can honestly say that this book would have been a fine substitute.

Ms. Berg is a self-taught writer who doesn't revel in her own neuroses or go too far overboard with the New Age schtick. (I admit I haven't tried any of her recipes yet...) She's a writer's dream mom: nurturing and sensible, smart and savvy. Far superior to Anne Lamott. buy this book!

Elizbeth Berg's book is worthwhile for many reasons: her comfortable prose, her reassurances, her authority, but most of all for her writing excerizes.

Not that these sorts of exercizes aren't in other books, but Berg's (no relation) way of explaining them is clear and helpful. I used them, and they were, for me, effective. To wit:
two stories I wrote beginning with these exercizes have been published. No higher praise than that is due.

Some men might be put off by this book which is excessively sprouty, true, but Elizabeth Berg's writing is worth looking into, and so is this book.

Elizabeth Berg's voice is just as engaging when she writes nonfiction as it is when she writes novels. Which is perhaps to be expected, because she started out by writing essays and articles for women's magazines.

Throughout the guide, Berg dispenses many tips, such as: show a man is old by describing the dime-size age spots, rather than saying he's old; mood can be reflected in description; go to a restaurant and write down everything someone does for 10 minutes; crash someone's funeral, if there's a tasteful way to do it; and keep it simple when sending query letters to agents (i.e., no perfumed paper or candy boxes).

She also includes interesting tidbits such as a discussion on how to deal with success, and the envy one's friends might begin to harbor. Her friend Phyllis contributed 5 pages to the book concerning the jealousy she felt when Berg made it to the New York Times bestseller list. She also includes tips on how to handle rejection (in the scheme of things, it's not a big deal) and choose a writing class (be wary of teachers who don't write).

Perhaps most valuable are the thirty pages of writing exercises, intended to unleash your creativity. She goes for variety, breadth and depth by giving you sentences to complete, scenes to write, and gender-bending exercises (for example, if you're a woman, write about what it feels like to find out you impregnated someone).

Another great thing about the book is how encouraging she is. She devotes a whole chapter to debunking myths about writing, and insists that she started out without contacts or an agent.

Definitely worth your time if you're at all interested in writing.

When I read this book, I think of meeting a friend who understands and encourages me - and we're having tea. Elizabeth Berg's charming voice comes through clear and strong as she encourages, gently nudges and inspires writers to celebrate their calling. I loved it! Whether you're just beginning, experienced, published or unpublished, this book is warm like a treasured quilt on a cold night. Buy it and enjoy.

Ms. Berg begins her book with some personal notes about her life and how she came to write -- she's an ordinary person just like you and I, who loved to write and followed her dream. Reading this book made me feel like I could conquer the world -- of writing that is. Ms. Berg helps you knock your feelings of inadequacy aside and dive into the written word. Throughout the book she gives homework and writing exercises that are very inspiring and thought provoking and ends the book with a couple recipes, which I thought was a nice, quirky touch. I love my copy of this book. It is the first one I reach for when I need to explore another writing exercise, to get those creative juices flowing.

The best thing about this book is the glimpse into the life of Elizabeth, herself. Her quirkiness and insight is delightful. There is no one whose advice as a writer I'd trust more (although Natalie Goldberg's Banana Rose is beautiful). Her book even includes inspirational fattening recipes! What a brilliant idea! And the writing exercises are fantastic--I really got into them. I must say that while I've read criticisms of her inclusion of her own life, I appreciated (reveled in, more specifically) the anecdotes of her personal experiences. This is a wonderful guide to writing, but it is also a captivating read.

Being an Elizabeth Berg addict, I enjoy just about anything she put out. So I guess, in some respects, I am biased in my reviewing. However, this book dives into her style and explores the methods that will help the reader to find their style. Uncomplicated in explaination and written from the point of someone writing for themselves instead of the industry...Wonderful exercises and suggestions. Not preachy.

Elizabeth Berg's clear and descriptive style sprinkled with wonderfully inspiring quotes make for a fabulous read. "Escaping into the Open" is 223 pages of "Atta Boy, You can do it!" Although Anne LaMott's "Bird by Bird" is also a terrific book on the craft of writing, "Escaping into the Open" tends to be more positive and upbeat.

Incredible! Elizabeth Berg writes the perfect book for writers. She acknowledges AND encourages the desire to write and gives practical advice on how to do it. She covers everything, from the business side to writing classes and writing groups, including her opinions on the "myths" of being a writer. One wants to do the "homework" she gives you. Best of all, Elizabeth Berg continually encourages the reader to be the writer that he/she wants to be, nothing less, nothing more. By the end, the reader believes it's possible and wants to do it too. If you buy one book on how to write, this must be the one!