"Richard Goodman's creative collection was written after a lifetime of working with language ... As such
The Soul of Creative Writing should be considered a top pick for any library strong in teaching creative writing, whether at the college or high school grade levels." --
California Book Watch 'Who needs another book on writing? If it's this one, you do. Richard Goodman examines--with the same curiosity, wit, and good sense that characterized his gem of a memoir, French Dirt--the soul of the writer's life. There is so much to admire about this book: Goodman's respect for the secret strength of words, his awe of 'the nerve of poetry,' his ear for the music of prose, his love of the puzzles and pleasures of punctuation, and his deep understanding of the malleability of technique. Though The Soul of Creative Writing is full of both aesthetic and practical advice, Goodman wears his erudition lightly in these ten lessons in grace, clarity, and sense of purpose. I loved this book and will keep it nearby when my own well has run dry and I need inspiration, prodding, or reminding that writing is both vocation and delight, worthy of a life's dedication.'-- K. L. Cook, author of
The Girl from Chanelle and Last Call “Any writer should read all these delicate, dear essays who wants to write anything better than she or he has done before, be it fiction, essay, poem or merely sentence. Who would guess that ideas about language and literature could be expressed so gracefully? Richard Goodman's essays do not blanket the subject of writing, rather they offer us peep holes through which we glimpse sunny mysteries. Blink and look again.”-- Sena Jeter Naslund, author of
Abundance, a Novel of Marie Antoinette and Ahab’s Wife 'Including well-selected examples from literature throughout, this book will serve as a supplement for the modesty accomplished and a reminder for the more experienced. It should prompt experimentation with rhythm, sound, diction, and metaphor. Recommended. All readers, all levels. -- G.W. Clift,
Choice"This book is not just for writers then, but for lovers of words and writing. For renewing my excitement about what I've chosen to do for a living, this book deserves 13 exclamation marks." --
The Writer Magazine
"A first rate handbook for aspiring authors of any type of creative writing, be it short stories, novels, or poetry, "The Soul of Creative Writing" is a must for any community library collections gathering books on writing."
--Midwest Book Review"Richard Goodman's marvelous book,
The Soul of Creative Writing, will instruct, delight, edify, challenge, reassure, and guide any student of writing to a personal best.
The Soul of Creative Writing is a wonderbook of meditative instruction. Goodman's sympathy for the writer's dilemma, the warmth of his urging, the brightness of his enthusiasm all remind us that courage lies inside encouragement. We can find courage to write here, and support from all Goodman's tips and insights. Like the best teaching from the most inspired teachers, it's simply invaluable."
--Molly Peacock, author of Cornucopia and Paradise, Piece by Piece
