Writing from the Heart: Tapping the Power of Your Inner Voice (Paperback)

by Nancy Slonim Aronie (Author) "When I was a kid, I wrote a lot..." (more)
Key Phrases: writing the truth, New York, Ram Dass, Martha's Vineyard (more...)

Editorial Reviews

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (February 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786882875
• ISBN-13: 978-0786882878
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #252,354 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Writers and Artists, Don't Miss This Book!, January 17, 2000

By A Customer

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The next best thing to being there, January 2, 2001

By	Writer and reader (Stamford, CT USA) - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Need a jumpstart?, April 15, 2005

By	Hammiesgirl "minrice41sec" (USA) - See all my reviews

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!!! You try but it just doesn't come out right. You resist, you tell yourself that you can't do it. That you suck. Well, perhaps you honestly do but before you start to believe it pick up this book.

I think that the real problem, for me anyway, when it comes to writing first person present or developing a character that has experiences based upon mine, is fear. Fear of what might happen if I dare to dig into my life, my feelings.

What this book did for me was help me to get over that fear. Or it at least inspired me and made me want to keep trying to write my truth. It's difficult when writing like this to REMEMBER two things: It's FICTION and no one HAS to see it but you.

This book isn't dry and it isn't authoritative. In a witty, conversational manner Nancy gives you reasons to write your truth, to get out of your way, to break the barriers that are keeping you from writing something real and honest. Give yourself permission to feel and pick up this book! I think you will like it ;)