Customer Reviews

Writer Ferrets: Chansing the Muse (Ferret Chronicles)

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I have always been a fan of Richard Bach. I constantly find myself drawn to the simplicity of his writing and the complexity of his message and this book is no exception.

My own life has been full of loss for the last several years. Loss of hope, loss of career, loss of my marriage, loss of trust in my world... all of these have conspired to rob me of my dreams. Picking up this book on a whim, I felt all my hopes come rushing back in to fill the void inside of me.

I have always (since I was a small child) dreamed of writing. I was never able to garner the courage to actually attempt it, and I couldn't ever explain to anyone why. Finally, after losing so much in my life I finally managed to gain the courage to reach out to my dream with both hands and chase it wherever it might lead. This courage is due in great part to Mr. Bach and this book, and I will be forever in his debt.

He captures the frustration and elation of the creative process beautifully. Yes, he writes simply, and yes at times he's a bit sappy. This is part of the charm and if you are too jaded or too cynical to appreciate it then I truly feel sorry for you.

Do yourself a favor. Buy this book. Read this book. Enjoy this book. If you are an aspiring writer, if you know an aspiring writer, or if you just simply love the simplicity of openly and honestly chasing your dreams you NEED this book.

It isn't often I "gush" about a book, but I will about this one. Yesterday I opened to the first page of "The Ferret Chronicles - Writer Ferrets: Chasing the muse." I have just finished it.

This could well be classed a children's book, as could most books by Richard Bach: "Jonathon Livingston Seagull," "There's No Such Place as Far Away."

But this one, about a pair of ferrets and how they find their "muse" is both informative and inspirational. I would recommend it to any aspiring writer.

And, if it needs a childlike mind to read and enjoy it, then I must have such a mind, and I'm proud of it.

"Writer Ferrets: Chasing the Muse": by Richard Bach. A good book for all children, no matter what their age.

Richard Bach's love of the creative process illuminates every page of this charming story. This would make a nice gift for any aspiring writer on your Christmas list but I think it would have a special resonance for younger writers (twelve to fourteen). This book neatly illustrates the idea that struggling to meet others' expectations just doesn't contain the satisfaction (or rewards) of honoring one's own muse. I wish Writer Ferrets existed when I was fifteen and got a "C" on a creative writing asignment. From that moment, I spent decades trying to raise that grade by writing what I thought others wanted to read. Like the main character in "Chasing the Muse" I found myself stuck and producing writing that had nothing to do with my own inner voice. Lucky for me I found a friend who showed me the error of my ways and later gifted me with this book to underscore her point. If you are a struggling (or blocked) writer, I think you'll enjoy a quiet hour or two with the "Writer Ferrets."

Richard Bach weaves a fascinating yarn concerning the joys and struggles of being a writer. The story focuses on a writer struggling to write "The Great Ferret Novel"....in the meantime, he makes his living writing other "lesser" works. A great story about success, failure, and staying true to your inner muse. Highly recommended for children, adults, and anyone who's ever taken pen to paper because it felt good, and not because they had to.

From the author of the indominatable Jonathan Seagull comes The Ferret Chronicles series. Bach still knows how to tell a fable and he's as charming as ever. An easy read. Fun to have on your shelf when the going gets rough. Great book to read on a lunch hour on a bad day. As refreshing as a walk in the woods. Okay so some of you may think it's corny but then apple pie and mom still warm my heart.

The middle volume in the Ferret Chronicles is not only a story of inspiration and hope, it also fairly bristles with background information about the ferret culture and feels a little like a game of Six Degrees of Separation. (Budgeron Ferret, the main character, once spent a summer on a ranch with Boa (of Rescue Ferrets at Sea) and Strobe (of Air Ferrets Aloft); his sister is Willow, the grandkit of the latter's angel ferret fairy Baxter.) After achieving a modest success as the author of "One Paw, Two Paws, Three Paws, Four Paws," a book written for kits (young ferrets), Budgeron manages to bring in an income by selling short stories to kits' magazines while struggling to write the Great Ferret Novel, "Where Ferrets Walk." But try though he will, he can't seem to get past the first sentence. Meanwhile, by sheer chance (or is it?), he meets Danielle, a dear friend of his sister's, who supports herself as a pawdicurist and substitute teacher, and they marry. Inspired by his devotion to his muse, Danielle decides to try to write a book too, "just for fun," and immediately finds herself originating a character so unique that the world of mustelid publishing will be stood on its ears by her story--a "naughty ferret" she names Veronique Sibhoan. Budgeron, determined to become a "real writer," suddenly discovers a new story telling itself to him--"Bevo the Hummingbird," based upon a beloved stuffed animal of his kithood. And when both Veronique and Bevo become runaway successes, their authors find their lives and their viewpoints transformed.

Authors are often urged to "write what they know," but this is less a story about doing so than it is about "doing what comes naturally"--letting your own imagination take the lead and hanging onto its tail for dear life. As such it may be an inspiration to aspiring writers of the human persuasion, especially those who specialize in genre or juveniles and are convinced that only Literary Fiction is really worthwhile. A delightful story that may be the best Ferret book of all.

I read this story first as a standalone book and later as a chapter in Bach's Ferret Chronicles, Curious Lives. The second time I was in the midst of my own first manuscript. Every writer should read this book, as the advice Bach gives comes from his heart through his wise little characters, and it truly is invaluable to a writer dreaming of seeing their name on a book. It's a sure-fire formula for success!

I've now also listened to the audio version. I'd recommend all writers do both, as hearing Bach's sincerity as he shares in his own voice is a gift in itself.

My husband and I listened to this on a long trip recently. We enjoyed it enough for me to order Rescue Ferrets at Sea and Writer Ferrets. They all seem to drag a little in the middle but they come to great conclusions and we enjoyed them very much. Had sent them on to my kids. We really enjoyed this one since we are writers.

I put on the CD, lit some candles, turned off the lights and listened in peaceful delight to this story which is integrally loaded with practical writing/publishing suggestions. The story merits future re-visits, and I look forward to doing so.

I'm so sick of ferrets being portrayed as evil weasel is books. Ferrets are truly happy, fun-loving and gentle little souls. Bach, who owns several ferrets himself, obviously knows this. I love the concept of the Ferret Chronicles, and the drawings are lovely, but Bach's writing style is just a bit too simplistic for me. I understand that is part of his charm and the reason most people DO like his writing, but for me the storylines just didn't hold my interest. (Still, I bought them because I will buy anything in support of ferrets! Kudos to you, Richard!)

Staci Layne Wilson