Customer Reviews

The Right to Write

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1 star:		(4)

 

 

"The Right To Write" by Julia Cameron, took me a while to get through it. Not because it was boring or a slow read, but it is not the type of book you might want to read straight through. It is a book, any writer should pick up and read whenever a little motivation or inspiration is in order. Julia Cameron seems to find just the right words to get you going in the right, or should I say 'write' direction.

The book, subtitled, 'An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life' is just that. Cameron covers over 40 topics that the writer may need help working on or through. Each topic begins with an "invitation", where she discusses either her own personal experiences with the subject, or others in her life. What she writes, seems like she was reading your mind. Covering topics from finding the right time, or just finding time to write, to place of writing, your fears("I'm not good enough", etc), Honesty, Moods, Valuing our Experiences,Procrastination and many more. The reader(writer), will be able to identify with many of the concerns being voiced.

The second part of each topic is an "initiation" into writing. Ms. Cameron gives great tools to help your creative juices flow, and to get past the problems in your head. Sometimes it may be making lists pertaining to the topic, it may be setting aside a certain amount of time to write, or to do something out of the ordinary, or it could be writing yourself a letter. All excellent exercises for the writing mind. She really gets you to put pen to paper(or fingers to the keyboard), and get the words flowing.

Julia Cameron imparts her wisdom and experience, and her love of writing to all writers,The wisdom and experience are gifts to you, and the love is absolutely contagious. Whether you write in hopes of getting published, to preserve your thoughts, or just because it seems the natural thing to do, you will find this book, a wonderful "go to" tool, whenever a little help getting going is needed.

A nice addition to ANY writer's library. A Prescription for what ever ails the writer in you!
Enjoy....Laurie

also recommended:
On Writing

The Spirit of Writing: Classic and Contemporary Essays Celebrating the Writing Life (New Consciousness Reader)

Senior Citizens Writing: A Workshop and Anthology, with an Introduction and Guide for Workshop Leaders

Just keep doing it, even when you don't feel like doing it, or when you don't think you have anything worthwhile to say. You'll stop thinking of writing as some mystical activity that can only be done in a dreamlike state. Writing will become a commonplace activity that you can do without any undue anxiety.

That's what Julia Cameron wants you to realize about writing--that it can be a daily activity, like brushing your teeth, or taking a bath, somethinig that you just do. I've spent a good portion of my life wanting to be a writer, but not writing. When I was a kid, I wrote stories all the time, and didn't care how good they were. Then one day I grew up and became self-conscious, and the flow of writing stopped.

For the last fourteen years, I've kept myself pretty busy thinking of one thing after another to do instead of writing. I've made mix tapes, I've cleaned my room, I've gone shopping, spent time with friends, gone on walks, listened to music, and when I was feeling adventurous, even thought about writing, but I've done very little actual writing.

Last year, I read Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" and found it very inspiring. As with this book, you can't read a chapter without feeling a charge of life-force.

I think my icy self-critic is finally starting to melt some. I didn't want to come to the computer this morning and write this review, but I did it anyway, and it wasn't so bad. Before reading Julia Cameron's books, I would have sat paralyzed at the keyboard, spending forty-five minutes on the first sentence. I've now spent about ten minutes writing the whole review so far.

I think it's a good thing, as Julia Cameron suggests in this book, to think of writing as just another component of life. You don't judge yourself on how well you sleep each night. You just do it, night after night. Some nights you sleep fitfully, tossing and turning. But then then there are other nights when you have the most beautiful dreams. It's the same way with writing. There's a flow to it, like the flow of life, that you shouldn't try to control. You should just get yourself there everyday, so you're there to experience those beautiful dreams when they come.

I began my career teaching Composition at a state university campus. One day I was chatting with a colleague, a crusty old veteran who was the embodiment of everyone's Least Favorite English Teacher. She declared, "I don't care if they write only one paper all semester -- I make them rewrite it until it's PERFECT." I countered, "I don't care if they don't write one perfect paper all semester -- I make them keep WRITING."
This explains what I like about Julia Cameron: she's taken a whole generation who were intimidated by teachers like my ex-colleague into thinking "I'm not a writer," and made them into fluent, passionate, comfortable writers. Even for the experienced writer, her suggestions are great for jump-starting you at times when the inner censor is remorseless or you "just don't feel like writing." And she's an expert at puncturing your "I can't write because" excuses; those sections alone are worth the price of the book. I found it much easier going than "The Artist's Way": she's kept it concise, and downplayed the religion and the Twelve-Step-isms that some readers (myself included) found off-putting; but at the same time she's provided more of the practical and powerful exercises that were, I feel, the great strength of that book.
That said, I still found this book somewhat unsatisfying for two reasons. First, although the scenes from her daily life are excellent examples of vivid description, I could have done with a little less of her idyllic existence in the mountains and more practical suggestions for those of us who don't have total freedom to structure our writing time! And second, although her method provides a wonderful way for anyone to get started as a writer, she doesn't answer the next pressing question: "Now that I know I CAN write, where do I go from here?"

I am not normally a fan of writer's inspiration books like this one, primarily because they are so addicting. A blocked or fearful writer can quickly fill their shelves up with books that explain and examine their literary malaise. On one hand, it can be a huge relief to have your problem recognized in print and read case histories about other writers who eventually made it through. But on the other, you run the risk of drowning in self-exploration and doing nothing practical to get yourself writing again.

Julia Cameron deals with writer's block and other triumphs and obstacles in practical terms. In "The Right to Write", she uses equal measures of encouragement and gentle sarcasm to turn aspiring and blocked writers into active practitioners of their craft. Her message is simple: write, and do it daily. Even if what you come up with is not publication quality, the act of doing makes writing a routine endeavor instead of an occasional challenge.

If you're serious about seeing your name in print one day, self-analysis will only take you so far. Julia Cameron offers practical advice that will bring you much closer to your goal.

I found Julia Cameron's voice to be strong and true. She has an excellent solution for every problem a writer could possibly have. In beautiful prose interspersed with personal snapshots from her life, she insists that writing is natural and easy.

Can't find a publisher? Cameron suggests self-publishing. Lost confidence because of remarks made by your "friends"? Surround youself with friendly readers. Nothing to write about? Go on Artist Dates to fill that empty well. Can't spell? Use spell check.

Cameron reinforces everything that is positive about writing and strips away any excuses you may have for not writing. By the end of the book, you will be sitting at one of the writing stations you've created following Cameron's advice with plenty of Morning Pages and lists of your proudest achievements and completed writing exercises to draw from, and there will be nothing left to do but write. With Julia Cameron in your corner, you cannot fail.

I really enjoyed this book. It's inspiring, full of good exercises and has been of great help to me. However, I recently came across Dorothea Brande's 1934 classic 'Becoming a Writer', which somewhat tainted 'The Right to Write' for me. Ms Cameron credits Dorothea Brande's book in the bibliography, but appears to claim the 'morning pages' idea as her own - it is 'the most effective tool I have devised' or words to that effect. In fact, the idea of morning pages is lifted straight from 'Becoming a Writer' and no mention is made of this in the book. I think it's important for fans of Julia Cameron to know this.

If you don't need someone else's, or even your own, permission to write, cruise right past this book. I got a little sick of reading about how Julia has (or had) the luxury of looking after her horses between writing periods because she owns a "ranchito" in Taos. Most writers write in spite of our 9-to-5 jobs, in spite of our spouses and/or children, in spite of our teaching schedules, and in spite of our paltry incomes. We can't afford horses, and we can't afford to bitch about how our Taos property is only "about the size of a taco chip."

I'm also not sure how her exercises actually move one past intensive introspection and toward finished works (actual short stories, poems, novels, plays, scripts, whatever). If you feel that you are all that is holding you back from doing deep, honest writing, by all means read lots and lots of Cameron. She will free you and start you on your path, wherever that path might lead.

However, if you feel you've progressed beyond this and are ready to write for publication, this book probably won't be of much use to you. Try John Gardner, Kenneth Atchity, Josip Novakovich, Janet Burroway, and Carolyn See (Making a Literary Life) for starters.

And best of luck--keep writing!

Whether you're a writer or a wannabe, Julia Cameron's wonderful insights will inspire and enlighten you. And help you along the way in your life's journey to create.

Like many of her books, it will give you the encouragement to celebrate who you are, a unique and creative being, and to write for yourself. Don't worry about the commercial business of writing and marketing. Be true to yourself as you create and, Cameron assures us, your auidence will come.

This is a beautifully-written book and it has profound insights about life, writing and our sacred callings. I was very much touched by the author's understanding of why it is we write.

Cameron focuses in on those golden moments of life, many of them the "little" things we might take for granted, then goes deep inside to probe the meaning and purpose.

Writing brings out your soul's connection to the universe, and it enriches you in a way nothing else can. Creativity is the divine spark we get from our heavenly Creator, and the act of writing is shown to be the sacred way we get in touch with our innermost feelings.

Cameron is like a wise and loving angel showing us why we need to disconnect from our hurried, harried modern lifestyles and to go apart and write. Ignore your critics' voices, whether they are in the form of an inner, nagging thought or another person belittling your writing. Keep a morning journal of your own personal story. Not only do we have the right to write, Cameron admonishes, we have the duty. It brings out our humanity; it enriches our everyday lives.

Every page has a pithy quote of wisdom and insight. Cameron is an artist and a genius. Her descriptions are outstanding. She embraces life and the inner spark of creativity that too often is left untended. We all are writers, Cameron says, and we all must write.

Cameron's prose is profoundly poetic. You will read, and re-read, her chapters again and again. And call yourself a writer.

This book has a simple message. Your life as a writer cannot be separated from your life. It almost sounds too simple. If you want to write, Julia Cameron says write.

For those of us who run into the occasional roadblock, the author supplies motivation and exercises to ease us through and around the obstructions. I have found her section on morning notes (“Witness” Chapter) to be helpful at overcoming writer’s block. I also strive to make a weekly artist date (“The Well” Chapter) with myself to recharge my creative batteries.

As the author states, the writing life is simple, self-empowered and self-empowering. That is true, but at the low points it brings, it helps to have a coach on call. The ... spent for this book ensures it will be sympathetic, encouraging and convincing.

Julia Cameron is able to talk to you as a friend sitting down with a cup of tea just talking plain talk about writing. Writing should be as natural as breathing and walking and talking. Writers are often too hard on themselves and feel they must suffer for their art. This is a no-stress approach to writing that will make your writing life more enjoyable. As in her "The Artist's Way", Ms. Cameron gives you exercises that expand your mind and creativity. These exercises after each chapter can be done alone or with a partner or group. She dispelled one misconception for me. I had always thought if I have a year off, I will finish my writing projects. It was as if she was reading my mind when she addresses this very issue about our excuses and time management. With this book you have permission to write freely. I am enjoying it and will refer it to continuosly.