Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul: Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Writers (Paperback)

by Jack Canfield (Author), Mark Victor Hansen (Author), Bud Gardner (Author) "At first glance, Ronny looked like every other kid in the first-grade classroom where I volunteered as the Reading Mom..." (more)
Key Phrases: bum glue, New York, Alex Haley, Reader's Digest (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul anthologizes 80 stories of heartwarming writerly success. As is the trademark of the Chicken Soup series, these are feel-good stories about unforgettable relatives, encouraging teachers, serendipitous encounters, memorable experiences, positive outlooks, and, yes, seemingly unbearable adversity. But even the most tragic stories here are written to inspire. In fact, the success of many of the contributors seems a direct result of their overwhelming misfortune: Christine Clifford parlayed her battle with breast cancer into a book of cancer-related cartoons (Not Now ... I'm Having a No Hair Day!). After his son, Nicholas, was shot by highway robbers in Italy and Nicholas's organs were donated to seven ailing Italian children, Reg Green chronicled the experience in The Nicholas Effect. More than a decade after a professor squelched her pen by telling her that her writing "stinks," Catherine Lanigan rebounded and went on to write Romancing the Stone). And Barbara Jeanne Fisher managed to write Stolen Moments, a romance, despite having five kids before embarking on a college degree, then being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and lupus.

Consuming the whole tureen's worth at once might be a bit much, but a spoonful here and there will help any struggling writer remember that they are part of a whole community of struggling writers. With contributions from Ernest J. Gaines, Terry McMillan, Sue Grafton, Steve Allen, George Plimpton, and Ray Bradbury. --Jane Steinberg

Product Description
Being a writer can be a lonely and frustrating experience. The stories in this book by a wide range of professional writers, novelists, journalists, freelancers, poets and screenwriters will give readers insight into the human trials, tribulations and triumphs of writers, and writers a source of inspiration and commiseration. Contributors include: Ray Bradbury, Steve Allen, Dave Barry, Barbara Cartland, Sue Grafton, and more.

Whether readers are beginning writers, seasoned pros or writers at heart, the stories of purpose, passion, endurance and success contained in Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul will inform, entertain, uplift and inspire them. In its pages, they will learn important lessons on: the importance of perseverance, the value of being yourself, the process of discovering your own voice, the need for mentors and allies, and the power of following your heartfelt dreams.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Health Communications (June 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558747699
• ISBN-13: 978-1558747692
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #339,067 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Write for your Life, July 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul: Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Writers (Chicken Soup for the Soul) (Hardcover)

Chicken Soup for The Writer's Soul is an inspirational book for writers who often find themselves isolated and misunderstood. It contains many essays of those who, despite all of the obstacles, managed to succeed anyway. Although as a writer myself, I have heard many of the same stories, I still find them to be enjoyable. However, what I like best in the book are the stories that tell how writing has managed to make a difference in the lives of people. My favorite chapter of all was Defining Moments. One of the most important things about this book is the subject matter doesn't grow old. Any time a writer feels down and discouraged he or she can go to it and find an essay about someone who was in the same position. Another important thing was the list of authors in the back of the book. Many listings have phone numbers, addresses, or emails and many of the writers invite readers to contact them. To me, this seems like a possible way to find a mentor. For all writers, be warned, once you read this book, you will do some soul searching of your own about your writing. I know that I did.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU REALLY DO OWE IT TO YOURSELF, July 18, 2000

By	"cathymarie" (Queens Village, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I can't even begin to express my gratitude for the publication of this book. I knew about this book since March or April and knew it would be a success based on how well the Chicken Soup Series is doing. But I didn't count on how it would make me feel inside. This book was so inspirational it bought tears to my eyes and at the same time brought a smile to my face and laughter through my mouth. This book is a definite for any writer from aspiring to professional to famous. Oh it's truly worth it. I can not begin to say. Within a week I was back at my computer printing all of my work and sending them out to potential magazines. This book is a must for anyone aspiring to become anything others will try to discourage. You have to get it. I'm telling you: after you're done with this book, you will KNOW you can achieve anything. You'll just know.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what the doctor ordered!, September 14, 2000

By	Dera R Williams (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I first saw this book in the bookstore, I thought a bit cynically, wow, those chicken soup folks have a book for everybody. Then I saw a review by one of the people on my favorite's list and thought hmm!. I picked it up that following weekend and have not regretted it one bit. I am enjoying this book so much. I read a chapter every few days so to stretch it out and savor it and make it last. The stories are both enlightening and encouraging. There are well-known writers and not so well-known writers giving their testimonies of how they found their place or voice in the writing world. From Ernest Gaines recounting of writing a book the summer he was sixteen, first writing in long-hand and then pecking out on a typewriter, and binding it and sending it to a publisher only to be sorely rejected to Barbara Jean Fisher's story in the Overcoming Obstacles section was a thrill. Ms. Fisher overcame severe health problems to achieve her dream of becoming published. Elizabeth Engstrom talks of meeting her favorite author and the invaluable advice she received. Barnaby Conrad writes about the youthful Alex Haley and his perserverance to become a writer. These are just some of the stories that will lift up and encourage all writers no matter where you are in your journey.