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Secrets of the Zona Rosa: How Writing (and Sisterhood) Can Change Women's Lives

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SECRETS OF THE ZONA ROSA is the thinking woman's guide to writing her way into a life of joy and possibility. Nationally-famous yet accessible author Rosemary Daniell shares inspirational stories of Zona Rosa, her renowned writing workshop series, with a deftness that showcases her talent - and the gifts of Zona Rosa members - in flawless detail. Readers who like structure will appreciate Daniell's timelines, Book Therapy lists and Pilates on Paper, while those who prefer a more organic approach will love flipping through the chapters for an inspirational quote or anecdote. Daniell's direct and witty writing style, as well as her brilliance and candor (in SECRETS and her other seven books) illuminate every line.

This book is for you if:

1. You want access to a creative life plan that works
2. You long to take more risks but aren't sure how
3. You wish to establish more support networks and friendships
4. You always wanted to write but haven't found the time
5. You want to learn how to manage your time in general
6. You're a writer (emerging, mid-career or Pulitzer)
7. You're interested in the psychology of creativity
8. You're a free-spirited academic
9. You love to belly laugh
10. You're already clicking on the "purchase" button

If you love Eve Ensler, Erica Jong, or Edna St. Vincent Millay, SECRETS is the next book on your must-read list!

Rosemary Daniell's gift for teaching writing parallels her own writing talents. This book is a must for anyone eager to put pen to paper or finger to keyboard. If you can't get to her workshops, have the workshop come to you-- in a book.

A friend sent me an advance copy of this book. This is the best book about writing and creativity that I've ever seen. It literally changed my life.

Daniell brings years of teaching writing workshops and her own history as a poet/literary author to this book. The exercises are really unique and fun, but can also lead to serious pieces of writing.

I am holding my breath until I can actually GO to one of Daniell's workshops and meet her for myself!

Zona Rosa not only can change women's lives, it changes men's lives as well. Rosemary Daniell, her writing, and her Zona Rosa workshops have been a strong influence on my writing life, helping me to trust my voice, to write clearer, and to tone down my lyrical flourishes into the best ones that communicate rich beauty and metaphor.

Her new book, "Secrets of the Zona Rosa" continues her gift of sharing her insights. As seen by the enthusiasm of anyone who has read her, or attended a Zona Rosa, this book inspired me anew, and I hope it will do the same for others.

Rosemary Daniell has blazed a trail for other writers (and readers) in speaking out loud the secrets that often drive people either to self-destruction or to creativity. In that sense she advocates writing-as-therapy. She might have taken her theme from the apocryphal Book of Thomas:
"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you." Secrets of the Zona Rosa offers a cluster of life stories that Rosemary Daniell has helped to bring forth from members of her Zona Rosa writing groups. Daniell is aware that the therapy isn't complete until the tale is contained in an art form--drama, fiction, poem, memoir--and her teaching urges the experience toward art. To avoid leaving the impression that her "secrets" are all somber, I'll point out that Daniell was a cheerleader in high school, and her way of telling stories is celebratory, with pompoms and cheers.

I was hooked once I started reading Rosemary Daniell's "Secrets of the Zona Rosa: How Writing (and Sisterhood) Can Change Women's Lives". I've read many how-to books on writing, but this is the best one. It didn't take me long to decide to attend Daniell's writing workshop in Highlands, North Carolina.

Working with Rosemary was exactly what I needed to clarify my writing goals and get pointed in the right direction. She gave me confidence, motivation and inspiration. It's the best investment I've ever made in myself as a writer.

Following her guidance in "Secrets" is the next best thing to having Rosemary coach you personally. Filled with practical advice, this book will improve your skills whether you're a woman or man, novice or professional. If she can help me, she can help you.

Do yourself a favor: buy it, read it, do it. You'll be glad you did.

Secrets of the Zona Rosa is a book for all women. You don't have to desire to write to glean insights into your life and plot a course to your own North Star. Daniell's exorcises/questions shake you to your core. I'm still reeling over "Who do you envy?" That question alone tells me more about myself than I'm willing to admit--and the whole book is like that. It gets to the core of what stops you. The women's lives explored in this book are to say the least, inspiring. I highly recommend you buy this book--one for you--and another for a friend. She'll thank you.

Secrets of the ZONA ROSA has changed my life dramatically. I learned about it from a long-time friend and bought it thinking it would be a good book to have, not knowing I wouldn't be able to put it down once I started reading it. It soothed an ache, touched a cord, resonated deeply, jump started my confidence, cut through the myths ... all cliches, but all true. Ms Daniell is an amazing mentor. With this book she not only teaches, but inspires through writing and encouragement. I bought fifteen copies to give to my girlfriends with a few extra for `emergencies,' one of which has already been utilized. I highly recommend keeping one available at all times. You never know when you'll be needing an exorcise.

With her new book, "Secrets", Rosemary Daniell is on a rampage to change women's lives. In it, she describes her passion for writing and sisterhood, weaving writing tips with wonderful stories of the women of Zona Rosa. Ms. Daniell suggests keeping a journal to aid in writing, saying that journaling is the basis for knowing who we are. When we journal we uncover, build upon and understand our memories. Writing, she explains, is a form of prayer that protects us from the spiritual poison of not looking at and expressing ourselves.
And while helping women tell their truths is a more important mission for Rosemary than publication, she also included many concrete and original writing tips that can help any aspiring writer from beginner to those who have published several books. "Secrets" includes what may be the best guide to publication extant for the novice, a chart titled "The Emotional Tai Chi of Getting Your Work Out There." Chapter nine, filled with the Zona Rosa secrets of the art of writing, may contain all the coaching you need. The sisterhood stories are great! This book is a keeper!

This book, part memoir, part writing instruction, distills the methods Rosemary Daniell has used to cajole and inspire her students and fellow writers in her Zona Rosa workshops, freeing creativity and bringing out the potential of women (and men) who never thought they could do it--women who were "struggling in the sorghum syrup of middle-class expectations."

What is Zona Rosa? Literally, the "pink zone" in Spanish, it stands for the feminine principle. Daniell is an unabashed feminist--the kind more likely to celebrate femininity with stiletto heels and a plunging neckline than deny it with a burnt bra and combat boots, and this is the attitude she brings to her work--you don't have to be dour and humorless to be a serious writer. ("Why Serious Babes Want to Have Fun" is part of a chapter subheading)

The intriguing chapter headings--"We Are All Doors Until Someone Slams Us", "If I Thought Like a Guy", "A Bevy of Perfect T.I.T.S"--lead the reader into discovering a sense of empowerment, cajole her into being patient and persevering, tickle her into digging deep, counsel her how to keep her sanity when the worst happens, and instruct her with tips to improve her prose.

The book overflows with delights as rich as a box of Godiva chocolates--books to read, quotations to meditate upon, and real-life examples to learn from. "Write the thing you don't want to write about the most," Rosemary counsels students as an "exorcise," and women gain the ability to dig into hidden hurts--troubled mothers, cruel fathers, the pain of racism--and by confronting them, as one opens the door on a monster in the closet, make them lose their power.

The penultimate chapter, "A Chorus Line of Winning Legs" is all about dreaming big and taking steps to carry out your dream, giving examples of real-life women who made that happen. Throughout the book, Rosemary tells us to avoid certain "Knee-Jerk Reactions." This chapter's Knee-Jerk Reaction is "Imagining that great lives, great books, great poems--great anything!--come about without planning and, yes, hard if oft delicious, work That the process is less important than the rewards. And that they are not created by people like you and me."

And if that isn't sweet inspiration enough, she gives a recipe for strawberry cake in the appendix.