Rating: 
Summary: Excellent premise
Review: Julia Cameron begins this volume with an excellent premise. We should write because "[w]riting claims our world" (p. xvi). By naming our experience, we make that experience uniquely our own. Ms. Cameron goes even further and tells us that writing "is a birthright, a spiritual dowry that gives us the keys to the kingdom" (p. xvi). Yes, yes indeed! Writing connects us to something larger than just ourselves. Ms. Cameron's non-elitist approach to the craft refreshes the spirit, giving energy and focus to her advice to "Just show up at the page" (p. 36). Exercises at the end of every chapter nudge her readers in the page's direction. No doubt about it, Ms. Cameron inspires. The book occasionally bogs down with its repetition and wordiness and that's unfortunate. And, I believe the framework of the book wobbles at times as Ms. Cameron leans a little too heavily on the 12-step recovery model approach to make her points. For example, during a dinner party, a Great Writer scoffed at the idea of everybody being called a writer these days. "They're not real writers," he said. As soon as he left, "the rest of the dinner party sat around and played detox" (p. 232). In spite of that, the book abounds with gems. "Writing is the art of a listening heart" (p. 28). "Writing specifically, writing detail by detail, we encounter not only ourselves, not only our truth, but the greater truth that stands behind all art and all communication" (p. 54). "[W]riting is a means of prayer. It connects us to the invisible world" (p. 101). "If you keep writing, you'll publish. If you keep focusing on publishing, you may not write" (p. 132). And perhaps one of the hardest principles to grasp involves "the idea of writing as process instead of product" (p. 190). This is a book I would recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: Write On
Review: Just keep doing it, even when you don't feel like doing it, or when you don't think you have anything worthwhile to say. You'll stop thinking of writing as some mystical activity that can only be done in a dreamlike state. Writing will become a commonplace activity that you can do without any undue anxiety. That's what Julia Cameron wants you to realize about writing--that it can be a daily activity, like brushing your teeth, or taking a bath, somethinig that you just do. I've spent a good portion of my life wanting to be a writer, but not writing. When I was a kid, I wrote stories all the time, and didn't care how good they were. Then one day I grew up and became self-conscious, and the flow of writing stopped. For the last fourteen years, I've kept myself pretty busy thinking of one thing after another to do instead of writing. I've made mix tapes, I've cleaned my room, I've gone shopping, spent time with friends, gone on walks, listened to music, and when I was feeling adventurous, even thought about writing, but I've done very little actual writing. Last year, I read Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" and found it very inspiring. As with this book, you can't read a chapter without feeling a charge of life-force. I think my icy self-critic is finally starting to melt some. I didn't want to come to the computer this morning and write this review, but I did it anyway, and it wasn't so bad. Before reading Julia Cameron's books, I would have sat paralyzed at the keyboard, spending forty-five minutes on the first sentence. I've now spent about ten minutes writing the whole review so far. I think it's a good thing, as Julia Cameron suggests in this book, to think of writing as just another component of life. You don't judge yourself on how well you sleep each night. You just do it, night after night. Some nights you sleep fitfully, tossing and turning. But then then there are other nights when you have the most beautiful dreams. It's the same way with writing. There's a flow to it, like the flow of life, that you shouldn't try to control. You should just get yourself there everyday, so you're there to experience those beautiful dreams when they come.
Rating:
Summary: A Convincing Message
Review: This book has a simple message. Your life as a writer cannot be separated from your life. It almost sounds too simple. If you want to write, Julia Cameron says write. For those of us who run into the occasional roadblock, the author supplies motivation and exercises to ease us through and around the obstructions. I have found her section on morning notes (“Witness” Chapter) to be helpful at overcoming writer’s block. I also strive to make a weekly artist date (“The Well” Chapter) with myself to recharge my creative batteries. As the author states, the writing life is simple, self-empowered and self-empowering. That is true, but at the low points it brings, it helps to have a coach on call. The ... spent for this book ensures it will be sympathetic, encouraging and convincing.
Rating:
Summary: THE WRITE STUFF
Review: IN THE RIGHT TO WRITE, JULIA CAMERON HAS GIVEN THOSE OF US WHO WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF BECOMING WRITERS, OPPORTUNITIES TO 'PROVE OUR STUFF'--THROUGH EXERCISES AND/OR A SORT OF THERAPUTIC COACHING. HER CHAPTERS ARE BRIEF AND EACH ONE DISCUSSES A DIFFERENT ASPECT OF WRITING AND HOW TO PRESENT A PARTICULAR ASPECT OF WRITING SUCCESSFULLY. HER EXERCISES FOCUS ON PERSONAL EXPRESSIONS AND HOW THEY RELATE TO THE TOPIC THAT SHE IS DISCUSSING IN A PARTICULAR TOPIC. IT IS SIMILAR TO THE ARTISTS' WAY AND HIGHLY READIBLE.
Rating:
Summary: A great tool for encouragement
Review: Julia Cameron is able to talk to you as a friend sitting down with a cup of tea just talking plain talk about writing. Writing should be as natural as breathing and walking and talking. Writers are often too hard on themselves and feel they must suffer for their art. This is a no-stress approach to writing that will make your writing life more enjoyable. As in her "The Artist's Way", Ms. Cameron gives you exercises that expand your mind and creativity. These exercises after each chapter can be done alone or with a partner or group. She dispelled one misconception for me. I had always thought if I have a year off, I will finish my writing projects. It was as if she was reading my mind when she addresses this very issue about our excuses and time management. With this book you have permission to write freely. I am enjoying it and will refer it to continuosly.
Rating:
Summary: Offers wise, comforting advice
Review: I found myself nodding my head in recognition many times in reading this book. Maybe that's because I'm a writer and Julia Cameron has an uncanny ability to gather her flock and preach the good word about the benefits of writing while cutting through the b.s. Specifically, each chapter takes on and debunks a myth about why writing isn't feasible for normal human beings, and why writing is too hard to do; then she offers an exercise that addresses and remedies each doubt. The result is that she sweeps away all the excuses and gives one an incentive to try again. Her writing is compassionate, not condescending, and offers practical and useful exercises for all sorts of writers and writing formats. In addition, Cameron demonstrates the diversity of the types of writing she does (novels, writing instruction, screen plays, poems), and acts as an excellent role model for all types of aspiring writers. Cameron offers by turns commmiseration, encouragement, signposts of recognition, and other talismans of hope and faith. I found this book helpful, practical, comforting, and motivating.
Rating:
Summary: Motivation plus.
Review: After reading this book I just wanted to write! write! write! A fantastic book to keep you company in the lonely world of writing.
Rating:
Summary: Insight for a beginner
Review: I used to love to write, but I have pushed it away, because I felt an immense pressure to PRODUCE. Right now, I feel the urge to use a pen and to explore new avenues of creativity. I have bought Ms. Cameron's book on a whim and I can not tell the huge relief I felt when I realized the true nature of writing. It is a state of mind, a color, a scent; it is seeing beyond the image, earing beyond the sound, it is LIFE. P.S. Please, pardon my mistakes....English is not my first language.
Rating: 
Summary: some things I could not get past
Review: I read this book once and thought it was great. Then I started to think about its message. Why are there no books out trumpeting the idea that everyone can learn how to be a good athlete if they just try hard and love the sport enough? We'd laugh if someone wrote that everyone had it in them to be a football player if they just followed a magic formula. Yet because most people can communicate by writing, everyone can eventually become a poet, a novelist or screenwriter? I don't think so. Yes, we can all learn to write more clearly and skillfully. But not everyone has an aptitude for this area. If the arts were as respected in our society as athletics, maybe more could see this. I think it's wonderful if people read this book and discover how much fun it is to write. But I could practice free throws for the rest of my life, and not have the ability to play pro basketball. Similarly, someone can write poetry for that long and not become Walt Whitman. Enjoyment is great. But talent is necessary too.
Rating:
Summary: Heavenly
Review: A beautiful book by an obviously beautiful person. The Right to Write is reading pleasure from beginning to end. It's such a wonderful experience that you never want it to end; sort of like sitting down with a good friend, someone who really cares about you, and receiving endless support and wonderful encouragement. If you've ever wanted to be a writer, let me assure you that by the time you have finished the first chapter you'll be one. Julia has a dream. She is at the Pearly Gates and St Peter wants to know why she should enter. Julia says, "I convinced people they should write." Well, Julia, with this book you've got your ticket to heaven. Thank you.
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