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By New York Times' best-selling author and international speaker Cecil Murphey: The "must-have" resource for every writer. The perfect "retreat in a book" for writers' events, discussions, and conferences. Who You Are Determines What You Write. You have unique stories to tell the world, teachings and words that will inspire and encourage others. So what are you waiting for? It's time to unleash that writer within. This isn't your average writing book, with guilt-inducing lists of "how-tos" in your search to become a writer...or a better writer. Instead, internationally renowned and beloved writer Cecil Murphey walks as a companion alongside as you: *Discover who you are. *Develop your voice and writing style. *Learn to write with heart. *Become authentic to your readers. *Grapple with the dreaded "Writer's Block" (it's not the deadly monster it seems). *Harness the inner critic (and a few outer ones too). *Expand your comfort zone. "We need to continue improving our writing skills, but in the process, we can't forget who we are. If we do, our voices become lifeless. The words may sound beautiful, but they won't express our true selves."-Cec Murphey. New York Times' best-selling author and international speaker Cecil (Cec) Murphey has written or co-written more than 120 books, including the runaway bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (with Dr. Ben Carson). His books have sold millions of copies, been translated into more than 40 languages, and brought hope and encouragement to countless people around the world.
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Hello! My name is Cecil Murphey, but everyone just calls me 'Cec.'
I've written dozens of books on a variety of topics with an emphasis on Spiritual Growth, Christian Living, Caregiving, and Recovery. In these books, I share my personal experiences as I strive to be closer to God and to seek his will for me.
My passion is to stimulate people's minds and nourish their souls. Since 1984, I've used my writing to help me accomplish those goals. My first book came off the press in 1975. To date I've published more than 135 books and hundreds of articles.
When I write, I have the opportunity to share my faith and my spiritual growth with others. My nonfiction books are based on my personal experiences, experiences that have been enhanced and developed by meeting people just like you.
As a ghostwriter, I sometimes take other people's materials and write books for them. Some carried my name and others did not. (Ghostwriters are often noted with the word 'with' below the author's name.) Why do I ghostwrite? It's rewarding for me to help others tell their stories of inspiration and growth. For example, when I see and hear from readers of 90 Minutes in Heaven and they describe the peace they now have after losing a loved one, I'm gratified to be a part of telling that story.
I've had the opportunity to be a caregiver and work with a number of other caregivers for their loved ones. It's a difficult, but rewarding commitment. When you're dealing with challenges of Alzheimer's Disease, depression, or substance abuse in your family, it can be a time that stretches you personally and tries your faith.
Stop by my web site. Drop me an e-mail. I'd love to hear from you.
I enjoyed reading Cec Murphey's UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN. The book basically asks questions and encourages the reader to reflect and respond to questions about our motivations and experiences. What's unique is that it's not merely a motivational or inspirational book (I'm tired of the "you can do it!" type of products that have been thrown at writers). Instead, this book asks writers to explore the difficult parts of our lives, and see how those have helped shape our work and message. Working through the book is very much like going to a writer's retreat where the facilitator isn't satisfied with simplistic, pat answers. A worthwhile companion book for those who want to go deep with their writing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it came at the perfect time for me as I just received my first book contract. This is not a how-to for the mechanics of good writing, but a book focused on the inner life of the writer. I felt as though Mr. Murphey had crawled inside my head and wrote this just for me. I had no idea that other people thought and felt like I did. His writing helped me realize that I need to be true to myself in my writing. Some of his aphorisms include:
I write to find out who I am. I write because it's my gift. The more I write, the more I know who I am. If you focus on being different, how can you be true to yourself? And if you're not true to yourself, who are you?
This book was encouraging, refreshing, and empowered me to keep moving forward.
I wish I'd had this writing book thirty years ago when I started out. I would have avoided some pitfalls and loooong detours that have taken years to correct.
If you want a writing mentor, you need look no further than Cec Murphey's Unleash the Writer Within. The subtitle calls it "the essential writers' companion."
I would have to agree.
What's Different About This Book?
It's honest, it's transparent, and it comes from the heart. It also made me laugh on more than one occasion because the author had the guts to say some things that need to be said about the writing life, how we market, and so many other topics dear to a writer's heart.
Before you get stressed out and caught up in all the things "they say" you have to do and be and write about to be successful, I urge you to get a copy of this book. It will help you discover your own personal voice and style so you sound authentic. It will show you how to actually make friends with your inner critic and writer's block--and eliminate them. And the author deals so honestly with a writer's fears--and how to use them and learn from them to grow as a writer.
Who Is This Man?
So who is Cecil Murphey? Why should you listen to his advice? Well, he's a New York Times' best-selling author who's written or co-written more than 120 fiction and nonfiction books, including the runaway bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. His books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into more than 40 languages....
Just to give you a taste of the book, below are some quotes from Unleash the Writer Within by Cecil Murphey: *"Too many want-to-be-successful authors get the idea that you must write in a certain way to succeed." *"Your most honest writing becomes your best writing." *"I don't advocate rigid self-discipline. I tried that. For years, I held to tight schedules, refused to allow deviations, and castigated myself when I failed. I've since learned that true self-discipline flows out of gentleness and self-respect." *"How would it affect your writing if you weren't constantly looking at your faults but focusing on what you can do?" *"You write best what you know best. The better you know yourself, the higher the quality of your work." *What if you follow everyone else's advice about your writing? "If you heed their words, you may end up trying to be somebody you're not. To follow that advice not only weakens the power of your words, but the writing doesn't ring true because it no longer comes from deep within." *"If it's easy or simple to write, it probably isn't what I'd call poignant or powerful." *"You don't have to be productive every day....for compulsives (like me), it takes a major decision not to be productive and not to feel guilty. I remind myself that the best part of my writing takes place inside my head." *"Start within your comfort zone and write from who you are." *"I feel afraid when I bare my soul. I run the risk that others will despise me, ridicule me, or ignore me. That's who I am. That's all I have to offer."
When Cec Murphey explained to his agent why he didn't want to write a book for writers--that he actually dreaded it--this was her response: "Too many writers won't acknowledge their fear, and when they eventually come to the place where they realize they're afraid, they freeze. You need to write it for those still behind you on the pathway." I'm glad he took her advice.
I hope Cec Murphey decides to teach a workshop or lead a writer's retreat based on his book for writers. I would love to attend! Until then, I'm starting the book over--from the beginning.Read more ›
I just finished Cec Murphey's,UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHING--THE ESSENTIAL WRITER'S COMPANION.
This book IS "The Essential Writer's Companion." To quote Murphey, for me, this book was a "journey toward inner wholeness--which is what life is about anyway."
Murphey's honesty endears himself to the reader. I underlined, highlighted, and made smiley faces on almost every page. I thought, if he can be this honest about himself,I trust him.
I read this book slowly. I didn't want it to end--the kind of reading where I moved my lips and whispered the words. I needed time for the truths I'd discovered about myself to sink into my spirit.
I particularly loved the chapter entitled, "Your Inner Critic." Murphey teaches how to listen to our internal wisdom as well as our inner critic. I drew a heart on this paragraph: "By the time I had finished the revision, I said, 'Hmm, this wasn't as bad as I had thought. It's not perfect, and I need to do some more work on it, but it's not complete garbage." And this man has sold millions of books. Murphey says, "My inner critique can be my friend." I love that.
Murphey shares enouraging insight about something that had been intimidating for me. Writer's block. Here's a favorite sentence. "Writer's block is a powerful force to help you regulate the creative process." So refreshing!
This isn't the kind of book I'll read once and stick on a shelf. Murphey's courageous candor will remain with me forever, cheering me on.
I finished the book and thought surely he wrote UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN just for me.
Cec Murphey is known as a mentor to mentors, a teacher of the craft of writing. But Unleash the Writer Within: The Essential Writers Companion, isn't a book about the craft of writing. It's a book about the heart of the writer.
It's not a technical how-to, but a deep-reaching why-to. It cuts through the trendy writer-speak and heads straight to the center of our motivations and choices.
Do you feel you've been called to write? If so, grab this book and get prepared to unleash your writer within.
