Rating: 
Summary: A good springboard to writing
Review: This book offers a springboard to writing. It gives you permission to write, so in that it's worth it. But if you want to know what to do with your writing--now that you've got permission to write--check out more informative, and equally inpspiring books by authors Marcia Yudkin and Donna Elizabeth Boetig. In the meantime, enjoy.
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Summary: Writing as therapy not craft
Review: What a disappointment. I found the book superficial and poorly written. It reads like a first draft dashed off in a few weeks--perhaps a compilation of stream-of-consciousness morning pages. The book definitely needed heavy editing. I guess this book would work, say, in an adult ed class to loosen people up to write, or as therapy to help someone deal with loss or pain. It is not about the craft of writing. There's such a thing as bad writing. For good writing and helpful instruction about the craft of writing, see Anne LaMott's Bird by Bird.
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Summary: Hits the spot!
Review: Sometimes an author will bank on her success and write a rehash of the last book. Julia did some of this in Vein of Gold, but I found Right to Write refreshing. It is more upbeat than The Artist's Way and offers plenty of new exercises plus I found it made me want to write. That's the point, isn't it?
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Summary: What a comfort!
Review: GIST: A writer speaks on writing. STYLE: Anecdotal, a warm and sensitive approach. SKIMMING QUOTIENT: High, because chapter-headings are theme-oriented. But why skim? Material is intriguing. SUBSTANCE: Ms. Cameron has a gift for articulating the inner life of a writer's world --the concerns, fears, desires. While reading her book, I felt as if she were imploring us to transcend a mindset of concentric traps, such as: You're not a writer if people haven't agreed you're a writer...You're not a writer if you haven't been published...You're not a writer if, even though you've been published, you're not a best-selling author...You're not a writer if, you're a best-selling author, but can't write an equally momentous sequel...You're not a writer if, although you're the author of a series of spectacular works, your screenplay version hasn't been purchased...You're not a writer if, you've won the Oscar for Best Screenplay, but the award wasn't for the "Original" category, etc. etc. -- the boundaries of my mind just kept expanding as I read. Cameron explores fears and blockages, revealing with honesty and poignancy her own past writing struggles. QUIBBLES: As much as I enjoy her books, I've rarely found her (well-intentioned) sometimes silly New Age-y exercises, effective. I faithfully wrote "Morning Pages" (daily speed-writing in longhand whatever comes to mind, three pages worth) for two years, without seeing any real impact on my work or life. The cramping of my hand became an unnecessary chore -- a writer uses the hand daily to type or jot down; why exacerbate the physical challenge of our craft? Releasing subconscious "junk" as Cameron refers to it, is really an individual preference. I need to gaze at scenery, a picture of scenery -- or even read a quote about scenery -- for a few moments, to attain the sense of freshness Cameron asserts, rightfully, is integral to the creative process. SNACKS TO READ HER BOOK BY: pretzels, popcorn, tropical mix heavy on the chi-chi nuts, are ideal to munch on as you snap off a paragraph and chew it a while -- Avoid rushing. Cameron's insights are layered, healthy and enriching. BONUS BOOK: Reading a classic, Gift From The Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, on the beauty of balance in life, the importance of times of solitude leading ro renewal, creative rejuvenation, nicely complemented Cameron's book. As a female writer, I enjoy reading other women writers, and Lindbergh is one of my favorites.
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Summary: Challenging Workbook Disguised as Feel-Good Writing Tome
Review: Cameron has devised a great book with very useful exercises for those of us who want to write again. I was very surprised to find that the chapters really do open the reader up to these unexpected lessons. I recommend this to anyone who wants to return to the writer's mindset and remember what it's like to have a child-like mentality about this craft.
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Summary: A happy book that gave me the go-ahead
Review: to by-pass the angst and just write, for its own sake. Invaluable ways to bring out, listen and use the richness of life, its wonders, its horrors, and myself, my aspirations, my terrors and put them on the page. The core point (for me) of the book: writing is not a big deal, it's something that's fun, or more, to do. Julia's voice is so clear, so straight, so fluid. Well worth reading as a guide to living, for the value it places on making a commitment to anything that you truely care about and standing up for it. Wonderfully affirming of the writing life.
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Summary: Beautiful book production - poor content
Review: The book is a fine production - classy cover - quality paper - lovely print. Unfortunately the content is pretentious, self-indulgent twaddle.
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Summary: A gem of a book
Review: What a fabulous book! Inspiring and beautifully written. As a former Journalist who has gotten away from writing, this book has me back on the writing path again. I feel I am back "home" again. Writing is where my heart and soul lie. Thanks to this book, I am journaling three pages each morning and loving it. I am doing as Julia urges, "Just get it down." I have found an aspect of "me" that was forgotten and neglected for years. While I have continued to read continually over the years, my writing took a back seat and so did a major part of my personality. Just last week, I ventured into the woods with a pen and a pad and sketched an outline for a self-help book that has been on my mind for years. During this morning's run, I felt so inspired by my re-awakened love for writing that I tore through the miles and returned home with a head full of neat writing ideas. This book reminded me what I am -- a writer! If you love writing, you must read this book.
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Summary: The behind the scenes process of simply writing.
Review: I have read magazines and journals on the writing life but never anything quite like this. This was an amazing find I simply happened on after listening to Julia speak on PBS. The book was so informative, so stress reducing. If you aren't a writer reading this books makes you want to do just that. If you are a writer, I could see where many of the chapters would greatly assist one to ride the ebb and flow that goes with coming up with the good story. There is something in this little book for anyone willing to take pen to page. She is some great creativity tips. None of her ideas get in the way of anyone deciding what or how to write. The book is more of a prompt, a lubricant. I am reading the elements without focusing on the exercises at the end but I am glad they are there. This feels like a two read book. One to set the mood, get the process going and when ready, I'll tackle those little chapter endings.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, Insightful, Peaceful
Review: For writers and would be writers, this is a wonderful book. Julia teaches you to be kind with yourself and patient. She also gives you some great tools to break down barriers and move past blocks and prevent them from happening again. Although I've never been a big fan of Morning Pages, this tool simply does not work for me or my life, I know the importance of just "showing up" to write. Thanks Julia, for another great book. Sometimes it helps us to know there are others out there just like ourselves.
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