The Writing Workshop Note Book: Notes on Creating and Workshopping [Paperback]

Alan Ziegler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1933368705 | ISBN-13: 978-1933368702 | Publication Date: November 28, 2007

The Writing Workshop Notebook is devoted to making, remaking, and remarking on writing. Ziegler's text is animated by a concern about how we relate to our own and others’ writing and by a desire to have a suitable effect on the reader’s experience with writing and critiquing. The book is supported by the author's experience from decades of leading writing workshops.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Poet Ziegler, the award-winning professor of writing at Columbia University, whose previous Writing Workshop books are well regarded by teachers and students, has put together what he calls a note book for workshopping. The first part focuses on personal writing strategies—how to get the creativity going, how to flex different writing skills. The second part discusses how to use the workshop experience productively. To Ziegler, the workshop is that rare place where writing is actually an obligation, writing is what you're supposed to do. He gives detailed advice on critiquing other people's work; essentially, comments shouldn't be negative or positive, but helpful. Ziegler's own experience running workshops leads him to offer much advice on encouraging other people's creativity, but it's his love of the literary anecdote that makes his advice so palatable. To illustrate that feedback needs to be useful, for example, he quotes Anne Sexton's husband's (useless) response to one of her works, I don't think that's too hotsy-totsy. As Ziegler talks about his own mentors or difficult situations he's handled with his students, he models, for readers, the constructive, compassionate writing teacher. While intended for the apprentice writer, Ziegler's manual, with its useful ideas for creative writing assignments and its marvelously brief copyediting appendix, should be read by students and teachers of creative writing. (Jan.)
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Review

"Alan Ziegler respects both the craft and the mystery of writing, which is a rare combination indeed. In !e Writing Workshop Note Book he has done the nearly impossible--he has written an enormously useful book on writing and teaching that expands, rather than reduces, one's sense of wonder in the face of literature." -- Michael Cunningham

"Don't be taken in by the modesty of this title. Alan Ziegler's `notes' about writing are wise and farreaching. Here is a rich trove of craft details; here is a map of civility for student and teacher alike. He understands what Yeats called `the fascination of what's difficult': also the intense pleasure. He offers us a generous and pragmatic vision of each." -- Margo Jefferson

"Alan Ziegler writes about the artistic process with humor and lucidity, and in so doing humanizes the great ones, whose daily struggles with the blank page were no less arduous than our own. A wonderful guide." -- Daniel Alarcón

"An invaluable compendium of ideas, information, memories and provocations on the subject of writing. Ziegler explores the process from every angle--approaching and re-approaching to dig deeper-- offering even those of us who have been at it for a long time provocations, insights and illuminations as experienced and remembered by the writers we revere. #e book is designed to prompt us to work harder, more often, with a higher standard for ourselves. It is a wonderfully useful tool for anyone who writes, who aspires to write, or who wonders how the heck they do it." -- A.M. Homes

"It's enormously useful, funny, worthwhile, knowledgeable--the writing assignments are terrific (I can't wait to steal some of them), the quotes from other writers pointed and flavorsome, the whole teaching philosophy sound and humane " -- Phillip Lopate

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Soft Skull Press (November 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933368705
• ISBN-13: 978-1933368702
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive knowledge, the ability to communicate, and leadership!, December 28, 2007

By 

D. Bisquit (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Writing Workshop Note Book: Notes on Creating and Workshopping (Paperback)

One of the most useful books I have found, The Writing Workshop Note Book reaches out to a much broader audience than the title implies. Whether you are teaching in the classroom or mentoring writers in office environments the lessons shared here are easily understood and assimilated. Make the investment in time and money. This book is well worth the price of admission.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blurbs for this book, December 15, 2007

By 

Latte - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Writing Workshop Note Book: Notes on Creating and Workshopping (Paperback)

Alan Ziegler respects both the craft and the mystery of writing, which is a rare combination indeed. In The Writing Workshop Notebook he has done the nearly impossible - he has written an enormously useful book on writing and teaching that expands, rather than reduces, one's sense of wonder in the face of literature.
-- Michael Cunningham (Pulitzer Prize winning novelist)

Don't be taken in by the modesty of this title. Alan Ziegler's "notes" about writing are wise and far-reaching. Here is a rich trove of craft details; here is a map of civility for student and teacher alike. He understands what Yeats called "the fascination of what's difficult": also the intense pleasure. He offers us a generous and pragmatic vision of each.
-- Margo Jefferson (Cultural critic, winner of the Pulitzer Prize)

Alan Ziegler's The Writing Workshop Note Book is an invaluable compendium of ideas, information, memories and provocations on the subject of writing. Ziegler explores the process from every angle--approaching and re-approaching to dig deeper--offering even those of us who have been at it for a long time, provocations, insights and illuminations as experienced and remembered by the writers we revere. The book is designed to prompt us to work harder, more often, with a higher standard for ourselves. It is a wonderfully useful tool for anyone who writes, who aspires to write, or who wonders how the heck do they do it.
-- A.M. Homes (Author of This Book Will Save Your Life, The Mistress's Daughter, The Safety of Objects and others)

If every writer - and every writing teacher - had an "In case of emergency break glass," box next to their desk, and in their darkest moment of stress and confusion decided to break the glass, the first responders would arrive on the scene bearing this book.
-- Thomas Beller (Author of The Sleep-Over Artist and How To Be A Man; editor of Open City)

The Writing Workshop Note Book is enormously useful, funny, worthwhile, knowledgeable - the writing assignments are terrific (I can't wait to steal some of them), the quotes from other writers pointed and flavorsome, the whole teaching philosophy sound and humane.
-- Phillip Lopate (Editor of The Art of the Personal Essay and American Movie Critics; author of numerous books of fiction and nonfiction;)

Yes, writing can be taught, and Alan Ziegler knows how to do it. As his former student, I know firsthand what readers of this book are about to discover - Alan is a born teacher. In this jaw-droppingly generous book, Alan shares his notes from the field: insights into the creative process, guidelines for getting the most out of a workshop, a "greatest hits" sampler of writing exercises, and hilarious anecdotes culled from a lifetime of teaching and writing. This isn't eat-your-vegetables advice, either --Alan's prose is pure joy to read. The minute I finished it, I wanted to pick up my own pen and start writing. This should be required reading for all workshop participants and professors.
-- Karen Russell (author of St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves: Stories)

The Writing Workshop Note Book is an essential guide for any writer, teacher or lover of words. It is unlike any workshop guide I've read, and what makes it so special is Ziegler's voice, which is full of the best kind of wisdom -- intimate, funny, whip smart -- the wisdom of a rich writing life.
-- Joanna Hershon (author of Swimming and The Outside of August)

On writing and the teaching of writing, no one offers more expert advice than Alan Ziegler. A smart, compassionate, and highly enjoyable read, The Writing Workshop Note Book is filled with priceless bits of wisdom on everything from handling writer's block, to running a successful workshop. But Mr. Ziegler has done more than just provide a superlative guide for writers and teachers alike; he has crafted a profoundly moving and inspiring meditation on what it ultimately means to be a writer. Whether you're a fledgling writer, a veteran writing teacher, or anywhere in between, this book is a revelation.
-- Scott Snyder (author of Voodoo Heart)

Alan Ziegler writes about the artistic process with humor and lucidity, and in so doing humanizes the great ones, whose daily struggles with the blank page were no less arduous than our own. A wonderful guide.
-- Daniel Alarcón (author of Lost City Radio and War by Candlelight)

An elegant, humorous, and truly inspiring treatise on the craft by one of our finest teachers. Clear a space on the corner of you desk for this wonderful little book -- you'll want to keep it handy.
--Owen King (author of We're All In This Together)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like having a good, encouraging friend at your side, November 30, 2007

By 

Alpha Betty (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Writing Workshop Note Book: Notes on Creating and Workshopping (Paperback)

This book is an excellent resource for writers. You don't have to read it cover to cover, and can simply take up various sections at a time. That's only part of what makes it so great. Best of all it's like having a good friend at your side who always knows how to say perfectly encouraging things.