With warm, lively, often humorous anecdotes, advice, and lessons, this unique approach to creative writing as a path to healing the self shows how to reverse the damaging effects done to writers in school, where red pens disciplined grammar and taught them to mistrust their natural ability as storytellers--freezing them in their creative tracks NPR sponsorships .
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Amazon.com Review
Because writing is such an individual experience, the best writing books are personal. That's why Nancy Slonim Aronie, a National Public Radio commentator and the founder of a Martha's Vineyard writers' workshop, spends as much time discussing her own writing process, and her moments of triumph and rejection, as she does giving advice on writing itself. She offers pointers on certain general topics, such as creating a point of view and finding a sense of discipline, but because you can only learn writing by doing it, she also provides a variety of creativity expanding exercises, such as "Write about a time you felt one way and acted another." As Aronie writes, "Teachers can guide, nudge, give examples, inspire, show some mechanics, teach a few rules (then encourage that they be broken), point out a few organizational skills. But basically, writing is about accessing the gold mine sitting inside each and every one of you."
From Library Journal
Both these books are about creative writing and finding a voice. Both talk about the healing power of the writing process. Aldrich, a creative writing teacher, focuses on journal writing. Her book is divided into three sections. The first includes reasons to keep a journal, how to do it, and a set of exercises to get started and overcome blocks. Section two is about different types of people who keep journals, and section three is a collection of entries from the author's own journals to use as examples for would-be journal writers. Her book includes many quotes from famous journal keepers and a useful annotated bibliography. Aronie, whose essays are aired on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, writes to inspire writers. Her style is warm and her message infectious. She too includes exercises to guide her readers. A major part of her message is just to get the paper and pen in contact with each other and worry about grammar and spelling and other "school stuff" after the habit of writing has been formed. This book, which compares favorably with Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird (LJ 8/94) and Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones (1986), is more readable than Aldrich's and is recommended for all public libraries.?Lisa J. Cihlar, Monroe P.L., Wis.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After purchasing numerous "how to overcome writer's block" books, I accidentally stumbled across this book at the public library. What a find! I am now buying my own copy and giving the other books away.... For me, this book is more inspirational and constructive than even Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird and Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. The writer addresses some typical writing blocks and how to navigate them. But this isn't your typical "how to" book. It's a personal, soulful book that exposes the root of creativity. I now see that my inexplicable writing block has been, in truth, a terror of FEELING. My thanks to the author for this insight ----- and for many other remarkable insights.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've taken several workshops with Nancy and have always come away exhilirated and with the kernels of ideas for many new essays. She just has this way of stimulating your brain to make new leaps and insights. Basically, she teaches you how to get out of your own way and let your creativity flow. Her main thrust is to create a safe place in your mind where you can risk trying new things. The book is just like talking with her -- if you can't take one of her courses, it's the next best thing.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
NPR commentator and writing guru Nancy Slonim Aronie has written a book which is destined to become a classic of the genre. Her lessons on writing are not so much pieces of advice as gentle stories of how humans can thrive--and heal--by expressing their truth in words. Aronie's book inevitably brings to mind such titles as Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD, Goldberg's WRITING DOWN THE BONES, and Cameron's THE ARTIST'S WAY. But this is a new writer, and a new way of looking at the creative process, and the world. Funny, personal, and caring, WRITING FROM THE HEART will leave you uplifted and touched to the core. Read it, and then buy another for your best writing friend. Don't miss this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
How did I not know about this book? It's such a treasure.
I just finished Nancy Aronie's writing workshop and can't get over what a great teacher she is. I had heard great things about her workshop and didn't think any class could be that... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Marthahallkelly
I've been told it is a very good book
I purchased this book as a gift for a friend. She has told me it was quite good, and well written. Apparently it is also entertaining, interesting and an easy read. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Karen K. Baker
One of the best for new writers
As a memoir and personal essay workshop leader, I highly recommend this book to every new writer in my classes. Read more
Published on March 14, 2006 by C. G. La Ferle
Need a jumpstart?
Ok, so you want to write "your story", or create a character that surprise! is so very like you. Or maybe you just want to start writing in first person present. But you can't!!! Read more
Published on April 15, 2005 by thetarotphile
Bet Book so far
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. The way the author sets up the reading and then BAM...tells you to write xyz. And you really are ready to write xyz. Read more
Published on April 5, 2004 by Yogi
This book touched my soul as a beginning writer
"Writing from the heart," touched my soul.As I read her words I felt like parts of myself were being revealed to the world. Read more
Published on September 17, 1999
Believe in yourself.
-- I like the way Nancy talks to me. She's a great writer and she's personal. This book is peppered with her intoxicating humor as well as filled with loads of useable techniques... Read more
Published on August 14, 1999
An encouragement in finding your true self through writing.
It was such a thrill to find such a great reference in how to follow a dream and begin to write for myself and not with an intended reader in mind. Ms. Read more
Published on June 11, 1998 by Jude Winters (CWTAlbany@aol.com)
Superb
This one was excellent. I don't know how I found it exactly. I was in a Book Store and it just popped out at me. I think an angel was suggesting I read it or something. Read more
Published on April 30, 1998
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
When I was a kid, I wrote a lot. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
writing the truth Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Ram Dass, Martha's Vineyard, Miss Kreiger, Deena Metzger, Milton Friedman, Magic Wand, Uncle Harry, Betty Dodson, Gee Heart, John Updike New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
When I was a kid, I wrote a lot. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
writing the truth Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Ram Dass, Martha's Vineyard, Miss Kreiger, Deena Metzger, Milton Friedman, Magic Wand, Uncle Harry, Betty Dodson, Gee Heart, John Updike New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 14
books:
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11
books
cite this book:
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- Remember, Be Here Now by Ram Dass on page 81, page 85, and Back Matter
- Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés on page 76, page 98, and Back Matter
- Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkol Estes on page 76, page 98, and Back Matter
- Writing for Your Life: Discovering the Story of Your Life's Journey by Deena Metzger on page 24, and Back Matter
- Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton on page 39, and page 165
See all 14 books this book cites
- Cut Loose: (Mostly) Older Women Talk About the End of (Mostly) Long-Term Relationships by Nan Bauer-Maglin on page 137
- This Time I Dance!: Trusting the Journey of Creating the Work You Love by Tama Kieves in Back Matter
- Writing Alone, Writing Together: A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups by Judy Reeves on page 126
- Journaling from the Heart by Eldonna Bouton in Back Matter
- Skydyes: A Visual Guide to Fabric Painting by Mickey Lawler in Back Matter
See all 11 books citing this book
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