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Fruitflesh : Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write

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Oh my, oh my. There are a great many books out there on writing, but never have I seen one quite as amazing as this. Full of poetry and the lushest images around, Fruitflesh finds inspiration in the most surprising ways--and best of all, it does it effortlessly and with a great deal of fun and beauty. I just loved it--so much so that I bought two more copies to give to writer friends as gifts. And oh yes, it's just the kind of book you want around when you feel parched of ideas. Soothing and seductive and just wonderful. It does what all great art does--it gets you to look at the world differently.

Unlike many writing books that offer random topics and one-liners to inspire your creativity, Fruitflesh takes your mind into your own life, mind and body from the perspective of a fruit -- organic, raw, growing, changing. On days when I think there is nothing to write about, I open Fruitflesh. If I don't find something new in myself to explore, I at least find a new way of seeing the writing process and how my life is very much connected with it. Fruitflesh sits on my writing desk, constantly waiting to be thumbed through and explored.

Fruitflesh - Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write by Gayle Brandeis offers women writers a path to understanding their "life-essence" and their true reason for creating. As the beginnings of life sprout from a seed so does a woman writers words as she puts pen to paper. Gayle offers meditations and writing exercises that challenge writers to really go within - into their bodies and minds in search of their authentic selves. Fruitflesh is a springboard for self-discovery and a confirmation of the reasons we as women choose to write.

Sheri' L. McConnell, MAOM
Founder of the National Association of Women Writers - NAWW

Filled with beautiful prose, unique exercises, and womanly affirmations. Gayle Brandeis rouses the muse and saturates the senses.

Using the growing seasons as a theme, the author encourages you to write fully, release inhibitions, and let the fruitfulness flow forth. Each section of the book begins, and ends, with a "Fruitflesh Meditation" centered around a particular fruit. These exercises inspire and challenge the reader to delve into their senses and probe the woman, and writer, within.

Every woman should have this book on their shelf. Whether you write or not, you can benefit from the exercises. Enlightening and practical advice scattered like seeds across the page, blooming with love and self-acceptance. Ms. Brandeis encourages women to accept their bodies and the rich fruit they produce, both in writing and personal endeavors. Revel in your own fruitflesh where you may find not only a writing voice but yourself.

Fruitflesh is drenched with creativity. Its sticky sweetness caresses your mind and leaves you hungry for more. You haven't lived until you've had the "Fruitflesh" experience...

As a writer -- and a male -- I found this book extraordinarily helpful. Dudes, don't let the Women Who Write in the title scare you away, there is wisdom here for all.

This book is a sensual inspiration to explore our imagination. Fruitflesh is suitable for all readers, even though the author addresses women. English Teachers, Screen writers, poets, novelist and memoir writers such as myself benefit from this juicy book. The flavor of inspiration will be one to satisfy and indulge the wildest of your creative desires.

This book is a beautiful blend of poetry and writing exercises that inspire your creativity. The tag line on "FruitFlesh" is "Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write," yet "FruitFlesh" is an indispensable book for every writer! Gayle goes beyond "Writing Down Bones" and invites you to sink your teeth into the "FruitFlesh!"

I was given this book as a gift several months ago - and it's languished on my Bookshelf of the Unread. I picked it up 2 days ago, read it, and figuratively ate it up. Very much a woman writer's book, Fruitflesh uses the growing cycles of flowers and fruits as metaphors for the structure of writing, a unique approach that will appeal to those of us who struggle with the writing muse each and every day. As in other books for writers, yes, there are writing exercises, and yes, there is advice, but here's the difference: Brandeis offers lush and bountiful suggestions for medications that will help bring to fruition the prose we KNOW we have within us. This book is designed to help us find the true sources of our creativity
It's a feast, and halfway through Fruitflesh, you can almost feel the juice of a peach running down your chin.
Excellent. It's easy to see that the author is also a poet.

I bought this book because I had read some great reviews about it on another web site. Truth be told, I am not even much of a writer - I am a mixed-media artist and visual journaler. The book sat on my bookshelf for a month and a half, waiting it's turn in my reading queue. I started to read this book last night and could hardly put it down. I was hooked by the introduction alone! I rarely can finish an introduction much less will I pull out a highlighter to mark drops of wisdom found in the beginning pages. The language is engaging, poetic and very visual - as a visual artist this is probably a huge part of the appeal to me. If you are a writer, an artist or a woman - I really recommend that you put out the $16 for this book - it is worth every penny and more!

I need to say I am the author's aunt-in-law but had only heard 3rd hand about her new book. I'd just gotten back from a week's meditation retreat and Fruitflesh was a great re-entry guide. Reading it helped prolong that delicious blend of body awarenesses and trusting each moment. Just as Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird brings you more deeply into your every day life, Fruitflesh brings you, fruit by fruit, back to your every day body and your every moment senses. A meditative eater's best friend.