Write Starts: Prompts, Quotes, and Exercises to Jumpstart Your Creativity [Paperback]

Hal Zina Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1577316894 | ISBN-13: 978-1577316893

Even dedicated and experienced writers need what author and writing coach Hal Zina Bennett provides: a fresh, fun, surefire place to start. In this handy resource, practiced and aspiring writers alike will find inspiration and initiative in the form of prompts for brief writing exercises, story prompts that set forth dramatic arcs for more lengthy works, readings with exercises that reflect on the art and craft of writing, and quotes from famous authors on the inner processes of successful work. Write Starts facilitates creativity like the perfect seat at a favorite café or a peaceful room of one’s own. What’s more, it puts you in the congenial company of a wise and expert coach.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Here, Hal Zina Bennett gives us a fabulous, simple, engrossing, entertaining, and above all, useful way of finding and freeing our inner rhythms and spirit. Use it to become a better writer — or a more alert and vital human being.”
— Penney Peirce, intuition expert and author of Frequency and The Intuitive Way

“Be careful reading this book! I started a novel and two short stories in response to the first fifty pages. And when I get stuck, I’ll return to Write Starts for its bits of wisdom and encouragement in the long and messy process of the writing craft.”
— Christina Baldwin, author of The Seven Whispers and Storycatcher

“Write Starts is a deep, exuberant, and profound book that actually does what the title says. And it will work even when you don’t feel like it!”
— SARK, author and artist of Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper

“Hal has poured a lifetime of learning and experience into a must-have book for many current and future writers. Ideas, tricks, humor, and hard-won wisdom from an old pro.”
— Dave Smith, author of To Be of Use: The Seven Seeds of Meaningful Work and cofounder of Smith & Hawken

“Write Starts is a gold mine of writing prompts and inspiration. If you’re yearning to write and looking for a way to begin, Hal Zina Bennett is a wise, passionate, and confident guide. And if you’re a seasoned writer feeling stuck, this is a book to jumpstart you back into action. My copy is underlined and bristles with Post-its; I’m looking forward to sharing Bennett’s insights and exercises with my students.”
— Barbara Abercrombie, author of Courage & Craft: Writing Your Life Into Story

“From art to craft, Hal Zina Bennett’s inspiring and practical book is a lively companion for any writer’s workday. And the compelling story starts won’t leave you alone until you give them some time with your own pen and page.”
— Judy Reeves, author of A Writer’s Book of Days

“If you’ve ever asked yourself, ‘What’s a brilliant way to catapult my writing to the next level?’ this book is it!”
— Marilee Adams, PhD, author of Change Your Questions, Change Your Life

About the Author

Hal Zina Bennett is the author of numerous books including Write from the Heart and Follow Your Bliss. A much-in-demand developmental editor and writing coach, he regularly conducts workshops and appears at writing conferences. He lives in Northern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (February 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577316894
• ISBN-13: 978-1577316893
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hal is the author of more than 30 successful books--fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Most recent book is Backland Graces: four short novels.

Books in his writing series include:
Write Starts: Prompts, Quotes & Exercises to Jumpstart Your Creativity
Writing Spiritual Books;
Write From the Heart;
Writing With a Collaborator.

His fiction includes:
Spirit Circle: a Novel of Adventure and Shamanic Revelation
White Mountain Blues
Backland Graces

His spiritual non-fiction books:
Spirit Animals & The Wheel of Life
Zuni Fetishes: Native American Objects/Meditation, Reflection & Insight
The Lens of Perception: User's Guide to Higher Consciousness
Spirit Guides: Companions & Mentors for Your Inner Journey
Follow Your Bliss: Finding Your Right Livelihood & Calling
Inner Guides, Visions & Dreams: Field Guides to Inner Resources
The Well Body Book, with Michael Samuels, MD
Be Well, with Michael Samuels, MD
The Holotropic Mind, with Stanislav Grof, MD

Hal enjoys writing reviews of books,likes books on creativity, personal growth, Earth-based spirituality and is an avid mystery reader. He's a personal writing coach who teaches seminars throughout the U.S.

He is a graduate of the Creative Writing School at San Francisco State University and holds advanced degrees in Holistic Health Sciences and Psychology. As a writing coach, ghostwriter, editor and co-author he has helped over 200 other authors develop successful books, including many national bestsellers; his client list includes bestselling authors Phil McGraw (Life Strategies), Gerald G. Jampolsky (Change Your Mind, Change Your Life), Judith Orloff, MD (Second Sight) and Shakti Gawain (Path of Transformation.)

The author lives with his wife on a small lake in northern California with two cats and a large organic garden.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and Poignant February 7, 2010

By Julie Clayton VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Just as the subtitle describes, this is a book of prompts, quotes, and exercises to jumpstart your [writing] creativity. If you've ever read any of Bennet's other books, you already know what a fine writer he is, and this book is no exception. Compact and designed to be used randomly, each creative exercise averages five pages (some are only one or two pages); long enough to get under your creative skin, but not enough to distract the writer from her job of writing.
There is something for everyone here: fifty exercises that will get your juices flowing, ranging from exploring the creative process, to writing from an animal's perspective, to using tarot cards, to creating alternate realities, to suspending disbelief, developing characters, and so forth. As a successful working writer for thirty years, the author has developed a pleasing flow and cadence to his writing, which shines through even in a book such as this. The book concludes with an annotated bibliography and a list of Internet resources for writers.
Practical and poignant, any writer will be able to find herself--or her muse-- somewhere within these pages.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a gift that keeps giving March 7, 2010

By Dorothy Van Soest

Format:Paperback

The first time I picked up this little gem of a book, I had an "ah-hah" moment that jump-started my writing. The second time I picked it up, same thing. Now every morning when I sit down at the computer to write, I open Hal Zina Bennett's book first. It works every time. "Write Starts" is a gift that just keeps giving.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A very worthwhile tool for inspiration and creativity. July 20, 2010

By C.J. GOOD (wellness practitioner)

Format:Paperback

Write Starts: Prompts, Quotes, and Exercises to Jumpstart Your Creativity [Paperback] By: Hal Zina Bennett (Author) -- At one time, writing was slow and awkward for me. My assignments at work forced me to write, but each article and paper was a tedious torment. Hal Zina Bennett's book, recommended by an author friend of mine, turned my writing life completely around.

Write Starts: Prompts, Quotes, and Exercises to Jumpstart Your Creativity brings the great craft of writing directly to your desktop. The book explains how the writing process works (and why it sometimes can not work). With those insights at my fingertips, and using Hal Zina Bennett's simple exercises and techniques, I began to write faster, more often, with more creativity, flooded with inspiration and less fear. I was set free from the shackles of writer's block. And now, I can truly enjoy professional writing, full-time -- something that would have been unimaginable before I read Write Starts. Reviewed by: C.J. Good, Author