Put Your Heart on Paper: Staying Connected In A Loose-Ends World [Paperback]

Henriette Anne Klauser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1995

Put Your Heart On Paper is filled with the inspiring true stories of what happens when people write from their hearts: the shared insights, the new beginnings, the dreams that miraculously come true. In 50 provocative short chapters, acclaimed author Henriette Klauser shows the power of the written word in everyday life -- bringing together parents and children, strengthening personal bonds, mending hurt feelings, solving problems, sharing joys, preserving family history -- and offers tools and tips to get you started right away. Putting your heart on paper does not require special talent, a lot of time or training. All you need is a willingness to be yourself and to be open with others. Nauser's energizing examples show how to get going and keep going past the fear and doubt -- and offer dozens of ideas to try. From a note tucked in a lunchbox to an interactive journal, from love letters to apologies to a three-minute poem, Put Your Heart On Paper shows us how to find a direct line from our deepest thoughts to another's heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Both practical and pleasurable, this latest by the author of Writing on Both Sides of the Brain offers writers and nonwriters alike writing exercises for getting and staying connected with the people in their lives?family, friends, themselves and even strangers. Drawing in large part on her own experiences, Klauser uses anecdotes?many quite moving and inspiring?to illustrate the uses and explain the origins of her suggested writing projects. The volume works well as a source book; its copious exercises and examples make it one of the best available. Klauser describes this as "not a 'how-to' book but a 'why bother' book." In keeping with this philosophy, most of the exercises are easily adaptable to different settings, such as classrooms or therapy sessions, where "why bother" is always a lively question. At the same time, the exercises provide sufficient structure, encouragement and impetus for hesitant writers. In her reflective segues, she explores the differences between writing and speaking, times when writing serves better than conversing, and ways in which writing connects not only people, but past and future to the present moment. Klauser is clearly comfortable writing about writing, and idealistic about its personal, interpersonal and community-wide benefits.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Use the written word to build relationships and heal wounds in an excellent guide to keeping interactive journals, diaries, and written communications. Writing can provide continuity and connections between generations: Klauser’s promotes maintaining this continuity, telling how to write more effectively. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055337446X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553374469
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Self-Help > Journal Writing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt Appreciation, February 21, 2000

By 

Laney Larsen (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Put Your Heart on Paper: Staying Connected In A Loose-Ends World (Paperback)

I recently shared aloud chapters from Put Your Heart on Paper with two dear friends of mine. Life has handed both of them challenges right at the moment that need to be captured in writing for posterity and their personal growth. I often go back to Put Your Heart On Paper after a spell of writer's block or a friend in need to find inspiration, post-it-notes, and Saturay Evening Post contest limericks in the margins. I wrote to the author Henriette by e-mail a while ago to tell her how much my latest readings from her book meant to my friends and me. She graciously thanked me by return e-mail which I have printed and tucked inside the book for my future grandchildren to read. Put Your Heart on Paper surpasses any book that I've read on expressing yourself via the written word by using examples not textbook instructions...She shows you how to write whatever you want, straight from the heart.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My copy is weathered, written in.... obviously much loved!, June 8, 2003

By 

Julie Jordan Scott "Writer, Life Coach - Owne... (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Put Your Heart on Paper: Staying Connected In A Loose-Ends World (Paperback)

This book is a treasure trove of ideas, inspiration and many many reasons
to remember and ACT on "Putting Your Heart" on paper.

Klauser is an extremely engaging writer. I found myself smiling in
response to what I thought were personal inside jokes like a lyric
from "Sound of Silence" being weaved into a paragraph about the
impact of the vocalization of a baby upon a group of tired, unengaged
adults.

This is a book I find myself continuing to return to over time. I don't

think I ever read through it front to back. Instead, I go to the Table
of Contents to find what calls to my spirit and then I usually find
myself reading a couple chapters before and after that chapter.

I can't imagine any reader coming away with less than 49 ideas to
try out and implement, much beyond what Klauser calls "Now You"
when she specifically asks you to apply what is in the chapter.

Read this book, treasure this book. You will soon notice it is becoming
weathered which is an honor bestowed upon books which are truly loved.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Writing To Heal, October 28, 2000

By 

Alice J. Wisler "from Daniel's House Publica... (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Put Your Heart on Paper: Staying Connected In A Loose-Ends World (Paperback)

As a writer, I find this book of imformative and creative ways to get your thoughts on paper, fabulous. As a mother who has had a child die, I found the chapter, 'Easing The Pain of Death' to be of interest. While I don't like the term 'recovery' for I feel a mother never recovers from the loss of a child (losing a child is not like breaking a bone, the bone does heal completely and there is recovery. The pain from a child's death will always remain), I was encouraged to read the message that writing does bring healing. I have found this to be true in my own experience. As an advocate for 'writing it down!' I recommend H. A. Klauser's book. ------Alice J. Wisler, author "Slices of Sunlight, A Cookbook of Memories".