Becoming a Writer (original: 1934; edição: 1983)

Written in the '30s but very much applicable to today's aspiring writer. Not a book on grammar and writing technique but more on learning how to utilise our unconscious mind in the service of our writing. Many of her techniques have been adapted and rewritten by other later writing coaches, the most notable being Julia Cameron over 50 years later. ( )

I was surprised at how much useful advice there is in this book, considering it was first published in 1934. The book very much focuses on getting into the mindset and practice of being a writer, rather than the technical side of good writing, with some useful exercises for unleashing your creativity. I can see myself referring back to parts of the book whenever I next go through a dry writing period. ( )

I read this for a fiction writing class I took in graduate school. The class was a lot of work, but it was likely one of the best classes I took. It inspired me as a writer, and I have kept dabbling in fiction since.

The book itself is full of ideas a writer can use. It is not a technical book or guide. The book is pretty prescriptive, and a bit strict (when compared to a book like say, Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones).Yet I found the book pretty accurate in giving me sense of my experience as a writer at the time. ( )

Excellent book and very ahead of its time - morning pages and meditation! One of those books worth rereading every year to make sure you haven't slipped into bad habits. Now I'm off for a bath and a creative coma... ( )

The best book on writing that I have read. Upshot: discipline, self-confidence until the second draft, editing with a rested eye, meditating on your story idea, and more discipline. Excellent reading.
ShiraDestinie
World's Day, 12014 HE (The World Calender Holocene Calendar/Human Era) ( )