"The Writer is an Artist" is for anyone who has felt the impulse to put words to paper, for monetary gain, or as a means of expression. With an unusual, gentler view of discipline, this book guides you toward your own distinct, colorful voice and show you step-by-step how to make that voice heard among other writers and in the world.
| |||||||||||||||
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Positive and upbeat,
By A Customer
This review is from: Writer As an Artist: A New Approach to Writing Alone and With Others (Paperback)
There are so many different writing books out there -- but this one, along with Natalie Goldberg's Wild Mind -- is my absolute favorite.The author, a founder of the writers group Amherst Writers & Authors, is direct, supportive, and a strong believer in the idea that "a writer is someone who writes". She believes that art belongs to the people, and that every human being is born an artist. These values are the bedrock of every chapter in the book. The book contains 50 writing exercises, chapters on getting started, feeling and facing your initial fears, the necessity of putting writing first (if a writer you want to be), finding your own voice, and the form your writing takes. (That's the "writing alone" part). The "writing with others" part is covered in two chapters dealing with the benefits of writing with others, how to start a writing group, what to watch for and avoid, as far as keeping the group "healthy" (i.e. focused on writing). The author has an engaging and direct style. Each chapter is filled with anecdotes from her writing life, and that of her writing groups, and is sprinkled with samples from her workshops. I cherish my dog-eared copy, and peruse its chapters when I am in need of a shot of "feel-good" inspiration.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Schneider's Suggestions Work,
By "d-lambette" (Old Saybrook, CT USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Writer As an Artist: A New Approach to Writing Alone and With Others (Paperback)
As a writing teacher in a maximum security women's prison, I meet with great reluctance from students when it comes to writing. Many of them have had terrible school experiences wherein they've suffered humilation and failure. Who doesn't remember having an essay returned with a zillion red-penned corrections? Thus, it's essential to create a safe environment before students can even begin to find their voices. Pat Schneider's gentle technigues ensure an atmosphere where trust develops, and marginalized women can begin to share their stories. The exercises in The Writer as an Artist are appropriate for a wide writing population, and Schneider provides step by step suggestions for establishing a writing community where self-expression can flourish. As a teacher and writer, I am grateful for the book's practical advice, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in writing alone or in a group.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's a pretty good start, but...,
By
This review is from: The Writer As an Artist: A New Approach to Writing Alone & with Others (Hardcover)
This book won't give the same results for everyone precisely because of the approach it takes. Like so many other writing 'how to' books, it straddles the line between instruction and self-help therapy. In the same vein, Schneider chooses to focus largely (but no exclusively) on would-be writers who are damaged and female.The AWA method (pioneered by Schneider) is an established and sometimes incredibly useful way to workshop for many people. But it's not for everyone. This book unfortunately will be too touchy-feely for a lot of writers who are looking to simply strengthen and improve their craft. The exercise ideas are good, often great. But the text itself slides toward the 'writers must bare all their private pains and anguishes to be able to write anything worth the effort' philosophy so popular these days. The truth is, this is just one way of looking at writing, and I would say it is an approach that's counterproductive in the long run. It is capable of sometimes producing extraordinary writing, but far too often produces introspective self-flagellating drivel. Write what you know, write what's inside, yes! But turn outward, too, and write what you see and experience and can describe! Find a nurturing environment, yes! But challenge yourself and visit dangerous places outside your head, too! I have heard that a second edition of this book is in progress. I am optimistic it will reach further and strive for more depth. Otherwise, it may feel like this first edition: it tries to be a great book about the writing process, but too often succumbs to the temptation to become a poor-man's psychoanalyst.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
