The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life

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Summary: A good place to start
Review: I began my career teaching Composition at a state university campus. One day I was chatting with a colleague, a crusty old veteran who was the embodiment of everyone's Least Favorite English Teacher. She declared, "I don't care if they write only one paper all semester -- I make them rewrite it until it's PERFECT." I countered, "I don't care if they don't write one perfect paper all semester -- I make them keep WRITING."
This explains what I like about Julia Cameron: she's taken a whole generation who were intimidated by teachers like my ex-colleague into thinking "I'm not a writer," and made them into fluent, passionate, comfortable writers. Even for the experienced writer, her suggestions are great for jump-starting you at times when the inner censor is remorseless or you "just don't feel like writing." And she's an expert at puncturing your "I can't write because" excuses; those sections alone are worth the price of the book. I found it much easier going than "The Artist's Way": she's kept it concise, and downplayed the religion and the Twelve-Step-isms that some readers (myself included) found off-putting; but at the same time she's provided more of the practical and powerful exercises that were, I feel, the great strength of that book.
That said, I still found this book somewhat unsatisfying for two reasons. First, although the scenes from her daily life are excellent examples of vivid description, I could have done with a little less of her idyllic existence in the mountains and more practical suggestions for those of us who don't have total freedom to structure our writing time! And second, although her method provides a wonderful way for anyone to get started as a writer, she doesn't answer the next pressing question: "Now that I know I CAN write, where do I go from here?"

Rating:
Summary: Essential for all writers and those who wish they were.
Review: "The Right to Write" is an essential tool for all writers, even, or perhaps especially, for those who do not yet realize they are writers.

Throughout this very readable book Ms. Cameron encourages us not only to write but to live the life of a writer. The fundamental concept of the work is quite simple: 'show up at the page'. Just the act of writing allows us to tap into our own creativity which will result in a charge of energy with which to write, sculpt, paint or merely live.

Those of us who put words to paper but are too humble to take on the mantle of Writer can find solice in this book. This is not a manual of writing, style or grammar. In fact, early in the book the author encourages us to 'write badly': to ignore the voice of our high school grammarians and to allow our words to flow to the page. There will be time later, she tells us, to bother with the mechanics. We will never get to that point unless we learn to start the journey and to live the life of a writer daily.

Strictly speaking, this may not even be a book about 'creativity'. "The Right to Write" teaches us about living a life conducive to writing and nurturing the artist in us all.

NOTE: As webmaster for the Artist's Way mail list I received an advance copy of the book from the editor. I strongly encourage all fans of Ms. Cameron, writers and anyone interested in living life more creatively to get this book! Dave Butler

Rating:
Summary: Some gentle nudging, and some tough confrontations
Review: Julia Cameron takes a gentle, but steady approach. She understands full well that if you have had writer's block your entire life, it will not be easy to unblock yourself. Her main unblocking tool is to write three pages a day. You can write anything you want. After some initial reluctance, I have now become an addict, and I have filled several notebooks. She understands very well what demons wannabe writers might face, and gives plenty of exercises for overcoming them. Many of them very gentle, some where you must face old demons, but all basically very simple and easy to do.

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Summary: Simple and Utterly Honest
Review: Many authors or poets who write about writing tend to glorify themselves and their craft, claiming that writing is tortuous but necessary, that only those who cannot live without writing should write at all. Julia Cameron cuts through all this rigamarole beautifully. She systematically tears down the walls that we build between ourselves and writing, until writing really is as simple as sitting down and putting pen to paper. If you feel that the exercises put pressure on you, it's probably because you've gotten used to taking refuge in your excuses for not writing, and when the excuses are taken away, there's nothing left but to write. I have read this book more times than I know how to count, as whenever I feel slogged down in writing, I pick up The Right to Write. Julia Cameron is like a close friend, sharing what she knows, and although at times the word play gets a little heavy, to criticize things like this is to overlook the wonderful possibilities the book presents. (The poems she includes as part of her essays are a plus, as well: simple and utterly honest.)

Rating:
Summary: W-R-I-T-E!
Review: I found Julia Cameron's voice to be strong and true. She has an excellent solution for every problem a writer could possibly have. In beautiful prose interspersed with personal snapshots from her life, she insists that writing is natural and easy.

Can't find a publisher? Cameron suggests self-publishing. Lost confidence because of remarks made by your "friends"? Surround youself with friendly readers. Nothing to write about? Go on Artist Dates to fill that empty well. Can't spell? Use spell check.

Cameron reinforces everything that is positive about writing and strips away any excuses you may have for not writing. By the end of the book, you will be sitting at one of the writing stations you've created following Cameron's advice with plenty of Morning Pages and lists of your proudest achievements and completed writing exercises to draw from, and there will be nothing left to do but write. With Julia Cameron in your corner, you cannot fail.

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Summary: This is a motivational book
Review: If you need to get motivated to write in your journal, or to write a book this is for you. Simple assignments and a variety of skill.

Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners, grating for professionals
Review: "The Right to Write" was the first how-to-write book I ever purchased and that was several years ago at this stage. Back then, this book helped me realise that it was OK to want to write and it gave me the motivation and knowledge to get started. Ms. Camerons own eclectic career inspired me to do what mattered personally in writing terms and not be afraid of making a rough draft a *really* rough draft.

However, years passed and times changed. I recently picked up this book, with fond memories mind, having dedicated myself to a writing life and had reasonable success. Unfortunatly, the reread was disappointing and I found her "cult of me" attitude [as eloquently put by another reviewer] incredibly annoying.

Ms. Cameron is of the oppinnion that everybody can write. Yes, maybe everybody can, but that doen't mean they should go for a career in it. Her advice that everybody should be authors could dedicate some readers to a live scrimping a living and ravaged with disappointment. Her statements such as "Why don't we do it in the street?" and her "Cups" initiations smack of New Age - the really bad mumbo jumbo kind.

In all, this book is excellent for opening the eyes of the "wannabe" writer to what they can achieve, but in cold hindsight after years as a writer myself, I found it too full of "fluff" and incredibly grating. If you want to be a writer that badly then you need a more "grounding" book with a concrete approach to the how's and why's of the process. Unfortunaly Ms. Camerons book falls well short in that regard.

- A.

Rating:
Summary: WRITING TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE??
Review: Author Julia Cameron is also the co-author of The Artist's Way --a classic book that is great for lives in transition. This book is quite different and great for everyone who desires to write a book, article or report for work. She covers how to make yourself a channel for your heart and soul and more. Somewhat spiritual, she still tackles such basics as finding voice and sound. In addition, she offers suggestions for mood and procastination (every writer's challenge at some time or another). Some workbook-style practices are included in the book for those who want to go deeper and use this as a self-guide to creating a writer's life. Terrific addition to every writer's shelf.

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Summary: The writer's muse through essays and spiritual guidance
Review: The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life

What if everything we have been taught about learning to write was wrong? To what extent do you attribute to articulating words to paper? If you are a writer, what does writing mean to you? These are questions that have been asked one way or another to any aspiring or established writer. One author in particular has given readers her own version of why the writing life is so essential to her existence. The Right To Write: An Invitation and Initiation Into The Writing Life is a revelation. It was written by Julia Cameron who has written all over the literary landscape. Here, she intones with eloquence why it is a way of life, and shares with readers her rhyme and reason to enjoy writing as a natural process. As much as I read, I found this book to be just the anecdote for me to realize why I write! The more than 40 brief personal essays that make up The Right to Write are an unyielding affirmation of the writing life and should hold the readers attention long enough for it not to be a bore.

Let's take the time to examine the book. It flows judicially in a sequential phalange of personal essays and exercises to garner ways to keep the interest level up, and give credence to idealize thoughts for future reference. She invites readers to make use of the many trials and tribulations as well as the sensual pleasures of their lives in formulating fodder for a good write. Acknowledging that she is "a perfect example of a practitioning nurse," Cameron, telling the stories behind some of her own stories and poems, shows how writing can lead us down into the most vibrant parts of ourselves, to extract the source of good vibes. Cameron's prose and anecdotes sparkle with fresh, lived experience, demonstrating that when the subject is creativity, a writer should be able to make the words dance with synchronized rhythm. Cameron declares that "it is human nature to write" and sets about proving it in this demonstrative book.

I can't imagine anything close to conventional writing being a false doctrine that would stifle creativity, but in The Right to Write, the author alludes to this and other tidbits of information in the same mold. Much of this I found to be quasi-believable due to her penchant for giving good analogy to illustrate well her points of view, and her belief that readers should learn to make writing a natural, intensely personal part of life. Anyone ascribing to write for the first time should not be intimidated by the authors' bodacious style, and those already living it will discover the art of writing is never the same after reading this book. The Right to Write gives all the real meaning to wanting to do what is write!

Rating:
Summary: Write, write, write
Review: Julia Cameron's message is simple: if you want to be a writer then WRITE. She presents the message with grace, conviction and persuasiveness. The format of the book, and much of its message, is similar to the work of Natalie Goldberg. However, they have different voices and inspire a different invitation to play with words. Goldberg has a crunchy granola, zesty hippy, zen enthusiasm. Very '80s. Cameron has a new age, california scrip writing, 12-step voice and proposes adopting a rigorous work ethic. Very 90's. She provides calm and soothing encouragement. Her suggestions are quite useful, and will get you writing. However, I personally need to read the essays in small doses. Cameron is quite self-congratulatory and her tone is so self-assured that it becomes irritating. She has good reason to feel confident: according to the back cover blurb, she's written 17 books; is a playwright, songwriter and poet as well as a novelist; and has extensive credits in theatre, film and television. Wow. I'd be cocky too.