Customer Reviews

The Tao Of Writing: Imagine. Create. Flow.

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I teach writing at the college level, as well as conduct writing workshops for the corporate sector, and thus it is crucial that each of these audiences not only learn the mechanics of writing but, too, understand how we can best draw upon our inner selves to create that which we call writing. This is not an easy task, and calls upon a melding of both the left brain and right brain to get this right.

Ralph Wahlstrom's book, The Tao of Writing, does this seamlessly, and -- after reading it -- one might not win a Pulizter Prize for writing but he or she will certainly be a better writer. Wahlstrom takes the reader on a journey within, delving into all that each person is to open the imagination, inspire creation, and -- the key -- allow this to flow into words, sentences, and paragraphs that effectively express what the writer wants to communicate.

Had this book ended here, it would have been fine, but Wahlstrom becomes the pragmatic Zen teacher of writing as well, offering more than sixty writing exercises that constantly refine one's writing's efforts. This book is for that discerning person who just wants to really get his or her writing -- right: stick with The Tao of Writing and you will.

Errol Craig Sull

Attention all writers! Creative flow and word output getting a little clogged up? If so, Ralph Wahlstrom is the Roto-Rooter Man of writing and the Tao is his power-snake. This book will release your creativity faster than a warm shower will make you pee. Like receiving a sigmoidoscopy from a trusted friend, Ralph uses gentle probing to allow you to view parts of yourself you knew were there but had never seen. His personal, conversational style is like talking to a buddy in the cell next door. Reading the Tao of Writing got me more excited than coming home to find my favorite chimp wearing go-go boots and a thong. My creativity and productivity have nearly doubled. Whether that's good or bad is the subject of much debate, nevertheless, it really worked. I've had to join Writers Anonymous just to stop long enough for lunch. Ralph Wahlstrom could give a triple-your-money-back guarantee with this book and never have to refund a dime. It's really that good.

Seriously, The Tao of Writing is a tremendous book written by a remarkably talented man who knows exactly what he's talking about. I can't imagine any writer not benefiting from it. Buy it. You will not be disappointed.

Alan Robertson, author of The Money Belt

Easy, quick read. The book actually made me far more interested in Taoism than in writing. Ha. It's a good read for writers who are stuck in a rut and need a little something fresh to inspire them and get them going again. Most of the book (the first two-thirds) is about embracing a different perspective on writing and not so much about writing tips, etc. Ends with some writing activities and exercises to help apply the Tao.

If you can get it for a few bucks, it might be worth it if you are needing to reinvigorate your writing practice.

I purchased this book as gift, and I plan to purchase more. I originally bought The Tao of Writing for myself and found the message inspirational; it provided the encouragement for me to begin writing seriously again after an almost 10-year hiatus. The suggested exercises at the end of each chapter are practical and intuitive--dissimilar from the stringent advice found in some titles that encourage one to write and publish a book in a year. The best writing comes from within, not from a formula.