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Summary: This book is a help!
Review: I have often written things down, but never had the nerve to actually go any further. This book has made me start to appreciate what I write, at least even if I never become famous, I have developed a little more courage when it comes to the written word.
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Summary: Echo!
Review: I have to echo the sentiment that this is a very inspirational book for the writers out there...especially the small time, novice writers like me. This is the perfect book to have around when you get another rejection letter from a publisher; just pick up the book, read about the paths the authors took, & feel revived...ready to get back to the grind with a newfound enthusiasm!! It even talks specifically about how many rejections some authors got on certain projects, before hitting the New York Times Best Sellers List. If you're a writer, you could definitely use this book to boost you back up after a rejection letter has gotten you down!!
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Summary: This Book Rejuvenated My Writing Soul!
Review: I own many books on the craft of writing, how-to pieces and inspirational tomes that are sitting on my bookshelf gathering dust right next to my numerous unfinished manuscripts. So when I saw that the Chicken Soup guys were coming out with a book for the Writer's Soul I figured I'd buy it and add it to my books-to-read-one-day(-whenever-that-is) pile. But before I had a chance to add the book to my book graveyard I read the first story, "Ronny's Book", and I haven't looked back or put this book down since. Each story in the book touches on the highs and the lows, the joys and the sorrows of the writing life. I recommend this book for anyone who is a writer, has thought about writing, or admires writers and what we go through. After reading this book I am so inspired to share my words with the world and dust off my bookshelf and those languishing manuscripts. What a blessing this book has been to me as a writer! Thank you Chicken Soup guys!
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Summary: Pretty inspirational
Review: I was skeptical when I picked this up since I had listened to the original Chicken Soup book on tape and had found it sappy and poorly written. However, many of stories in this book are truly motivational (and better written since these are writers, after all). Some are funny, some made me teary, and a few just had me shrugging my shoulders and moving on to the next. It's a keeper for when I need a kick in the pants.
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Summary: A Must-Have for Every Writer
Review: I've been glancing at the Chicken Soup series ever since they started coming out. When I saw an advertisement for this book, I immediately set out for the bookstore and picked up my copy. What can I say about this book that hasn't been said already? It is inspirational, yes. The stories touched my heart in many ways. But that was not all. I felt connected with these people, some of whom had a very difficult time with life, in getting their stories published, and staying published. Some hit the lowest point in their lives before something (or someone) touched their hearts and brought them back. I read a story last night about how a 21 year-old drug addict discovered that he was alive after he wrote his first essay during a prison writing course. There are too many stories to list here, but I will tell you that each one of them touched me in some way. Some of them made me laugh outright. But most importantly, they spurned me to do what I need to do mostwrite, write, and write. I have just finished my manuscript, and when I get my first rejection letter, I will turn back to this book and see all of those who made it despite the many that they received. I will turn back to it when I need a little boost to jumpstart my creative juices. I will turn back to it when I need to connect to other people just like me.
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Summary: Other Chicken Soups Better
Review: I've read a few "Chicken Soup" books and I must say I was disappointed with this one. It just didn't seem to really inspire or touch me like some others: "Chicken Soup for the Mom's Soul (both books 1 and 2)." This could be because I come from a definite Christian slant and so hoped for more.. perhaps a "Chicken Soup for the Christian Writer's Soul" is in order? This book seemed "nice," but not particularly inspiring. I didn't even read it all the way through.
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Summary: Other Chicken Soups Better
Review: I've read a few "Chicken Soup" books and I must say I was disappointed with this one. It just didn't seem to really inspire or touch me like some others: "Chicken Soup for the Mom's Soul (both books 1 and 2)." This could be because I come from a definite Christian slant and so hoped for more.. perhaps a "Chicken Soup for the Christian Writer's Soul" is in order? This book seemed "nice," but not particularly inspiring. I didn't even read it all the way through.
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Summary: A Gift for the Writer Within or the Writer in Your Life
Review: If you see a writer when you look into the mirror, you will love this book. As you devour story after story, you will discover how: --Sue Grafton wrote six unpublished novels before she sold "A is for Alibi", the first of 15 best-selling mystery novels. --Steve Allen, a TV personality and author of more than 50 books and 8,000 songs, was accused of plagiarism. --Catherine Lanigan overcame a university professor's cruelty (after 14 years) to publish the bestsellers "Romancing the Stone" and "Jewel of the Nile". --Ernest J. Gaines, who could not go to a public library until he was 15 because he is black, checked out his first book and declared, "I'm going to be a writer" and is now an icon in American literature. --Barnaby Conrad helped shape the young Alex Haley's writing career. Barnaby wrote "Matador" and sold over 3-million copies and he later founded the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. --Gene Perret practiced writing hundreds of jokes for Bob Hope before Hope finally hired him. --Hugh Prather, frustrated with his writing career, began writing personal notes that became his bestseller "Notes to Myself", eventually selling five million copies. --John Tullius' uncle mentored him toward a fulfilling writing career. John founded the Maui Writers Conference. --Lois Duncan wrote her way through college--tripling her income as she learned. And many, many more. Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul is a departure from the other Soup books. Co-author/editor Bud Gardner solicited stories from well-known contemporary authors. The result is a collection of (often autobiographical) stories from the bestsellers: Terry McMillan, Ray Bradbury, Barbara Cartland, Art Linkletter, Clive Cussler, Howard Fast, Garry Marshall, Hal Zina Bennett, Lawrence Block, Dan Millman, George Plimpton, Irving Wallace, and 67 others. Plus memorable cartoons on writing from Charles Schultz, Johnny Hart, Mort Gerberg and more. Bud Gardner has taught writing for more than 40 years. His mission in life is to turn the world onto the value of reading and (better) writing. He believes we don't write because we know what we want to say, we write to know, to learn, to grow, to understand. His students have prospered (selling more than 3,000 articles and 113 books, earning more than $3,000,000 from their writing), his readers have enjoyed, and writers everywhere are the beneficiaries of his work. This book is more than a labor of love; it is monumental collection of the best writing from the best writers. All writers will find this book fascinating and an inspiration. It is the ideal gift for the writer within or the writer in your life. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com
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Summary: Truly Inspirational!
Review: One of the latest installments in a highly successful and quality series of books, "Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul" is a wonderful book whose time has come. An avid storyteller, I have been inspired to put on paper all the ideas and dreams that have always seemed unimportant. I feel the two best pieces of advice in this book were: 1) Even if your subject isn't new, your view of it is, and is unique. 2) If you keep your ideas locked up inside all your life, when you are gone, who will know how history stood from your angle? I highly recommend this book to everyone, from wish-I-could to now-I-am writers.
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Summary: ARE YOU A WRITER? THEN YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: Sometimes words can't express feelings, but let me just say that I love Chicken Soup for the Soul books. As a writer, this one in particular strikes at my heart strings - I find myself crying, then laughing, then struck with enthusiasm for writing some more. Once you've read any of the Chicken Soup books you are hooked. They are all fantastic. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen are special people, following their dreams. Both of them are very proactive thinkers, motivating thousands of other people to follow their own dreams - and I am one of them. Their proactive style mixes really well with mine. They have a knack for getting people to work with them and their books practically build themselves. Mark Victor Hansen in particular, America's Master Motivator, always covers all of the proactive bases: smart thinking, system thinking, futuristic thinking, and positive thinking. If you want to be a good writer and have the kind of success and abundance that makes your life 100% livable - you should follow his advice. Some of the ideas he promotes are found in SUCCESS BOUND, another book built on learning how to live a proactive life that is God centered and fulfilling. I now have a whole bookshelf full of Chicken Soup books. This is one of the best. It is serendipitous in that it will always bring the unexpected. If you have other friends who are writers, consider getting them this book. Needless to say, it has played a huge role in helping me to be a successful writer and businessman. Get the book and look for "Why I Keep Writing" and "Writing from the Heart" two excellent stories that will move you. My recommendation to you is, take a few minutes each day and read this book over time. Let it inspire you, then, move out confidently towards fulfilling your dreams, knowing that success and abundance will be your destiny. Best wishes for a successful and proactive future!
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