Living the Writer's Life: A Complete Self-Help Guide [Paperback]

Eric Maisel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

Issues that face writers, as opposed to artists in other creative arenas, are addressed in this first self-help career book specifically geared to writers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Repeated rejection. Writer's block. Isolation. Alcoholism. Day jobs. Criticism. Low self-esteem. Narcissism. Addictions. Writing poorly. Poverty. Arrogance. Depression. A writer's life tends to invite all of the above, and more. In Living the Writer's Life, therapist and writer Eric Maisel, who specializes in counseling writers, sets out to "help you handle the many obstacles and challenges that come with the writing life." Books about writing commonly broach these types of issues as inevitabilities that writers must learn to deal with. Maisel's book shows you how. Through the use of role playing, personal anecdotes (one contributor writes about the value of earning an M.F.A. later in life), multiple-choice questions, quizzes, topical comments from renowned writers, and other models, Maisel encourages his readers to avoid the pitfalls of the writer's life. This is a serious workbook that can be used by writers (and other creative types, with little adjustments here and there) individually, in pairs, or in groups. --Jane Steinberg

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823088480
• ISBN-13: 978-0823088485
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,403,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another indispensable companion for serious writers, March 29, 2000

By 

Andres Kabel (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living the Writer's Life: A Complete Self-Help Guide (Paperback)

"Deep Writing," Eric Maisel's previous book of advice for writers, changed my life. I'm a fully committed unpublished novelist and short story writer. I'm a thorough kind of guy and have bought dozens of "how to write" books, ranging from inspirational texts to craft textbooks. Although many have proved helpful, "Deep Writing" was the first practical book which addressed a central question I return to every morning at 5 AM when I sit over my keyboard: how can I write today and better still, how can I write well today? Not only did "Deep Writing" specifically address all my issues, Maisel suggested simple practical approaches to assist the writer. I've been using his advice ever since.

I found "Deep Writing" so useful I bought half a dozen copies and gave them away to writing buddies.

Maisel is well qualified to provide spot-on advice. The author of numerous previous creativity books and a novelist to boot, he also practices as a therapist specialising in blocked or otherwise worried creative people. He understands not only the nature and demands of creativity, but also the shaping constraints of the marketplace.

Whereas "Deep Writing" addressed the creative process, "Living the Writer's Life" considers a wider canvas, namely what is a writer's life like and how it can be made more productive and happier. The table of contents shows just what Maisel tackles: a writer's work, her education, his craft, the personality of a writer, a writer's challenges, her strengths, his relationships, the world of a writer, and a writer's career. As in his earlier work, the author doesn't merely disgorge theory plus a few examples, and then offer advice, he uses a variety of techniques (exercises, discussion questions, anecdotes, role plays, question-and-answer pieces, exercises, and solicited pieces) to make his points. It's an easy-to-read, yet highly profound mix of methods, and in every section I found not only a framework which seemed readily recognisable to me, but more importantly, approaches that will be of use to me in my own fiction writing career. I was captivated and enlightened from start to finish.

As with his previous book, I cannot recommend "Living the Writer's Life" too highly for the serious, committed writer, whether published or a wannabe. For those just dipping their toes into the writing life, it would be a useful book to appreciate the gamut of challenges and joys that writing brings, although I suspect a couple of other basic texts (such as Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird" and Sol Stein's "Stein on Writing") would be needed.

Another indispensable aid from Eric Maisel for serious writers and curious would-be-writers.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical advice that addresses writers' real problems, March 29, 2000

By 

Melina Makris (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living the Writer's Life: A Complete Self-Help Guide (Paperback)

Maisel's latest book is a compelling self-help manual that teaches writers HOW to fish--and thereby survive--rather than sending them into the writing woods WITH a fish. Particularly noteworthy is the absence of the stern if-you-do-this-or-don't-do-this-you're-not-a-writer lecture. While Maisel is forthcoming with the setbacks and pitfalls that writers face, he also appears to sincerely believe that a writer who has picked up his book wants to write and he uses this volume to delve into the reasons why someone who wants to do it might still have problems doing it. The book is peppered with quotes from Henry James to Camus and Erica Jong, followed by intriguing questions that help the writer consider his own work, personality, challenges, and plans. In addition to role playing exercises, Maisel presents two plans, one for overcoming phobia of writer's conferences and another for a personal/group one-day writer's workshop that is bound to get writers working. Although the book attempts to help the writer learn to guide himself, it takes on even the tough issues that many artists face: identity prolems, depression, addiction. The book has a positive tone and makes the reader feel that Maisel not only understands his or her creative problems, but also the negative feelings of self-doubt that these problems create. Packed with solid information, helpful guidelines to get started and stave off doubt, and a tone that gently suggests (rather than directly ordering) options for the writer to consider personally, Maisel's book is a calm, uplifting writer's manual in a sea of drill sergeant-style advice tomes.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Comforting, Encouraging Companion........., October 23, 2001

By 

Suzanne E. Anderson "Author of Mrs. Tuesday's... (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living the Writer's Life: A Complete Self-Help Guide (Paperback)

I picked this book up when I was having a bad day....and miserable thoughts about the novel I was working on. Within a few pages, I felt better. The novel is still bothering me...but I feel less anxious about it.

The reason is that Maisel is very good at dispensing realistic, sensible advice. Facing a problem? Keep writing. Want to know if you'll ever be published? Keep writing. Want to get better? Keep writing. That's the gist of his message.....only he does it a lot better than I do.

Each chapter in the book addresses a different stage or facet of a writer's life. In his introduction he writes "This book is meant to accompany you through a lifetime of writing." And I believe that's quite an accurate description of the value and audience of the book...

...Maisel demystifies a lot of jargon and pretentious suppositions for the beginner....the one who wants to write, but is too intimidated to get started (Maisel will tell you to just start!). The book is also full of very practical advice, for instance, he offers some terrific role playing excercises on how to find an agent and what to say to one once you do, or why you should or shouldn't attend a writer's conference...

For the career writer, who's reached a crossroads or a block, or just needs a breath of fresh air...Maisel offers encouragement, and perspective, as well as essays from other writers at various stages in their careers on such topics as whether or not to pursue an MFA, when to re-think or abandon a project that's underway.

Highly recommended.