Writing to Change the World (Paperback)

by Mary Pipher (Author) "The first book to change my view of the universe was The Diary of Anne Frank..." (more)
Key Phrases: change writers, Spring Creek Prairie, United States, Reviving Ophelia (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this very personal writing guide, Pipher talks about the importance of point of view in writing, and she has a definite point of view here, tilting to the left: the world is in a bad way, and writers can serve as a "rescue team for our tired, overcrowded planet" by "tell[ing] stories that connect readers to all the people on earth." Pipher offers some good examples of how to accomplish this, particularly in a thoughtful and clever essay that presents the U.S. as a patient in a therapeutic case study ("Diagnosis: Post-traumatic stress disorder, multiple addictions"). And she offers useful advice in her sections on defining success (measured not in terms of sales but in terms of "giv[ing] our time and talents to help others") and revising, which she compares to pruning and weeding. There are dozens of pithy and inspiring quotes from a variety of writers, among them Woody Allen, Joan Didion and Eudora Welty. Those, along with Pipher's chipper you-can-do-it tone, will encourage idealistic aspiring writers, who will surely find inspiration in her assertion that writing can heal the world. (Apr.)Correction: Our review of Gary Schwartz's The G.O.D. Experiments (Reviews, Feb. 13) should have read, "Chance rather than order is the exception to the rule in the universe."
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Reviving Ophelia and The Shelter of Each Other

Words are the most powerful tools at our disposal. With them, writers have saved lives and taken them, brought justice and confounded it, started wars and ended them. Writers can change the way we think and transform our definitions of right and wrong.

Writing to Change the World is a beautiful paean to the transformative power of words. Encapsulating Mary Pipher's years as a writer and therapist, it features rousing commentary, personal anecdotes, memorable quotations, and stories of writers who have helped reshape society. It is a book that will shake up readers' beliefs, expand their minds, and possibly even inspire them to make their own mark on the world.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Trade (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594482535
• ISBN-13: 978-1594482533
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,219 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One "Baldwin Millimenter" at a Time, April 24, 2006

By	Lhea J. Love "www.lheajlove.com" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing to Change the World (Hardcover)

Deep down, all writers aspire to be what Mary Pipher calls "Change Writers". Mary Pipher gets to the heart, the root of why we write. Whether we are 'liberal' or 'conservative', republican or democrat, athiest or 'fundamentalist', we write because we understand that we can influence people with our words.

This is not a book on "How to Write". This is not even a book of inspiration for curing "Writer's Block". This is a book that brings to light the things which the heart of every writer knows, yet often forgets.

Pipher separates her book into three sections, "What We Alone Can Say", "The Writing Process" and "Calls to Action". I found "What We Alone Can Say" and "Calls to Action" to be the most insightful and original. I was actually debating whether I liked the book while reading the center section. But, Pipher pulled through. The irony is that she includes a Mickey Spillane quote that says, "Nobody reads a book to get to the middle." I wonder if Pipher struggled with the center section herself.

If you want a book on how to write, or a book for inspiration, pick up Write Down the Bones. Pipher also recommends this book in a thorough list of Recommended Readings. If you are a writer, a performer, a blogger or a poet who is trying to figure out how to make a difference, pick up Pipher's book.

I have found that many of my most treasured books begin with a James Baldwin quote. Pipher chooses, "You write in order to change the world, knowing perfectly well that you probably can't, but also knowing that literature is indispensable to the world... The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way... people look at reality, then you can chage it." Pipher offers a guide to changing the world one "Baldwin Millimeter" at a time.

(Side note: Pipher references a song by Billie Holiday "Strange Fruit" While this was the perfect example, the song was not actually written by her, but by a poet who does not receive credit in this book.)

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn from the content suggestions, not from any perceived bias, June 28, 2006

By	Julie Jordan Scott "Writer, Life Coach - Owne... (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Writing to Change the World (Hardcover)

I knew any book with this title would have at least one item of merit within its pages. I found gold immediately - in the recommended readings section. Pipher provided the perfect place to start the quest for my next trip to the library and book store.

There are several things I value highly about Pipher's work in this book.

First, she has an incredibly strong writing voice that literally says, "I am strong and confident AND I am confident enough to use my own shortcomings as examples."

Second, she gives a lot of information coupled with clear, concrete examples. She then hits a home run by explaining the ways you may choose to apply the same technique.

Third, she peppers the book with incredibly insightful quotes, each of which provides even more food for thought.

This is a book I will use again and again and again. I hope many live changing souls find it and use it again and again and again. I have started recommending it to people - perhaps you are another one of them!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars unique voice, October 30, 2006

By	E. M. Bristol "bibliophile" (boston, mass) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Writing to Change the World (Hardcover)

Despite some preachiness at the start, which may turn off those readers who are not "bleeding heart liberals," this is an outstanding book. I mistakenly thought it was a more traditional how-to guide for people who wished to write better with an eye toward getting published. Instead, and I didn't mind the error, it is a book on writing effectively with an eye toward yes, changing the world.

Some of the autobiography and personal philosophy will be familiar to readers of Pipher's books. She didn't begin to write until after having children, having been put off by a teacher who returned a poem with "Trite" on it. Thank goodness, she didn't let that permanently stop her.

One section that you won't find in other writers' guides is on letters to public officials. Having edited thousands of letters to the editor, I thought I knew everything there was to know about composing one. I was wrong. There is also a section on public speaking, which is invaluable for writers who intend to read their work publicly.

As another reviewer pointed out, the tone is strongly optimistic, and readers will come away feeling refreshed and energized. The book even inspired me to check out some of the articles and movies referenced, a rarity for me.