The Daily Writer: 366 Meditations to Cultivate a Productive and Meaningful Writing Life [Paperback]

Fred White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1582975299 | ISBN-13: 978-1582975290 | Edition: 1

Make Writing a Part of Your Daily Routine

It isn't always easy to carve out time to devote meaningful thought and energy to your writing. Hectic schedules, distractions, and creative blocks all too often interrupt the dream - postpone it for another day.

But with 366 provocative entries - each addressing a specific facet of the writing craft, and accompanied by an in-depth reflection and a stimulating exercise - The Daily Writer provides you with easy entry points into that elusive space where words matter most and helps you to embrace writing as a way of seeing the world.

Whether you're looking for a way to better integrate writing into your life, get warmed up before you dive into a bigger work in progress, or overcome an old case of writer's block, The Daily Writer can help you establish and maintain an inspired devotion to the craft.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Fred White is an Associate Professor at Santa Clara University in California, where he has taught since 1980. He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from the University of Minnesota (1967, 1973) and his Ph.D. in English from the University of Iowa (1980). He is the author of The Essential John Muir (SCU, 2006), The Well-Crafted Argument, 2nd edition (Houghton Mifflin, 2005), and Lifewriting (Quill Driver Books, 2004).

Product Details

• Paperback: 378 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books; 1 edition (October 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582975299
• ISBN-13: 978-1582975290
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 1.1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #337,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fred White (Ph.D., University of Iowa) has taught writing and literature to undergraduates for over thirty-five years. He is professor of English emeritus at Santa Clara University in Northern California. In 1997 he won the Louis and Dorina Brutocao Award for Teaching Excellence.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Advice for Writers December 3, 2010

By M. Embry

Format:Paperback

As a published author, I found this book to be informative as well as entertaining. Each day on the calendar offers advice on various parts of writing, be it plotting, characterization, research, narrative, writer's block or whatever. Fred White covers the gamut of writing in short "meditations" that keep you moving along. And if the reader/writer desires, or has the time, he/she can do the suggested prompts at the end of each meditation. I found the book useful during a recently completed work-in-progress, as the meditations provided daily reminders. I've recommended this book to many fellow writers and to those considering the writing life.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your average writing prompt book. May 6, 2011

By Lisa D Diven

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My writing group occasionally refers to this book for ideas and inspiration. Established writers, and aspiring writers alike, will not be amiss to add this book to their shelf, however, it is better served to carry it with you each day.
"The Daily Writer is designed to help awaken and nurture the spiritual side of writing through daily meditation and practice throughout the calendar year." But please don't let the words "spiritual" or "meditation" fool you. You don't have to light incense and sit in the lotus position to write here. This is a very practical, helpful, and useful book.
Each day consists of a described topic such as "On Serendipty," followed by a "For Further Reflection" paragraph (which I particularly enjoy), then a "Try This" section which serves as your writing prompt or action for the day. You may be asked to pull a book from a shelf, open to a random page, and write down ideas. Perhaps you may be asked to go for a walk before writing..., develop a mini-cookbook consisting of imaginary foods..., or set-up an idea file.... As I said, this is not your average writing prompt book and therefore makes it very unique.
The Daily Writer gets you out of your ho-hum box and effectively sparks your creative energy.
Happy Writing to All.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good advice, good inspiration October 18, 2011

By Frederico Lopes

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is easy reading, good to the beginner writer. Experienced ones can profit from reading a page or two searching for inspiration, but the truth is: this book is kind of elementary, a book of good writing classes exercises. If you are seriously commited to write, do not waste your time trying those exercises, but pick one or another and pass this book along. I'm sure that "cultivate a productive and meaningful writing life", as the book title says, is not to wander around writing short pieces or doing little meditations, but to focus in one or two projects and work to accomplish them. Do not dispel your energies taking this book too seriously.