Rating: 
Summary: INSPIRATIONAL!
Review: I usually read more fiction than anything else, as I am a fiction writer myself. "The Courage to Write" is without a doubt the best non-fiction I have read in years--maybe ever!
I borrowed this copy from the library but I plan to buy my own very soon so that I can refer to it whenever I have a case of "page fright." For decades I have wondered what was wrong with me, why I would write for a while and then lose momentum and eventually stop, shoving my manuscript into a drawer. I just thought I didn't have enough talent or, as Mr. Keyes touches on in one chapter, that I was afraid of the reaction of family members if I were to write honestly. That is indeed one of my fears, but how relieved I was to learn that many, many writers feel the same way!
After I finished the book, I immediately turned to my writing journal where I jot all kinds of notes, ideas, and such about my writing. I raved on and on about "The Courage to Write," and even e-mailed Mr. Keyes a personal thanks for having inspired me. This is one book that will be referred to often.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: I am a writer and have spent the past two years desperately trying to finish two business books. Until I read "The Courage to Write", I couldn't figure out why I was having such a hard time finishing what I had started. Now I get it. This book has helped my understand that what I am going through is normal and identify what I need to do to ship the darn things.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading
Review: I recommend this book to all of my classes, workshops, in most of my speeches and everywhere online. Keyes directly addresses the fears that so many writers (most writers, I think) are prey to and then gives coping strategies. The worst thing about writing is that the longer you do it, the harder it gets, and Keyes is invaluable for dealing with that. This is a wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: I call it "The Courage to read other writing books"
Review: I use this book sort of as a reference, to meditate on. It's reassuring to know that my anxiety need not interfere with writing. This book brings me back to the view that anxiety is only so much background noise. I also re-title it sometimes as "The Courage to Query"!
Rating:
Summary: Finding your own courage
Review: I've had "The Courage to Write" for about 5 years now. Since I bought this book, I've seen my first article published, followed by regular publication in several regional and national magazines in my genre. I've also just finished my first book (it's at the printer) and am working on my second. This book is my constant companion. It sits on my nightstand waiting for the nights that I wake up in a cold sweat worrying about looming deadlines, envisioning uncorrected errors in my first book, or in a panic that I will not be able to finish the book I'm working on now. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that I would not be a writer today if I had not discovered this book. If you are a writer or an aspiring writer and you are thinking about buying this book, stop thinking and buy it now! You won't regret it.
Rating: 
Summary: Reassurance, not much real advice
Review: If you're an aspiring writer who never seems to find much time to write, but has no trouble finding time to think about writing and worry about writing, this book is likely to help you. It describes the ways in which a number of writers, many very well-known, have managed to overcome anxiety, procrastination, and outright panic in order to get their writing done. The ways in which they've done this are so varied and individual that it's hard to say there's much useful, concrete advice here, but I found it greatly reassuring to hear writers whose work I respect admit to many of the same feeling of inadequacy and dread that I've felt when staring at a blank page.
Rating:
Summary: Reassurance, not much real advice
Review: If you're an aspiring writer who never seems to find much time to write, but has no trouble finding time to think about writing and worry about writing, this book is likely to help you. It describes the ways in which a number of writers, many very well-known, have managed to overcome anxiety, procrastination, and outright panic in order to get their writing done. The ways in which they've done this are so varied and individual that it's hard to say there's much useful, concrete advice here, but I found it greatly reassuring to hear writers whose work I respect admit to many of the same feeling of inadequacy and dread that I've felt when staring at a blank page.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for writers or those dreaming to write
Review: Ralph tackles an interesting topic, one many people prefer to avoid. Putting your thought to paper is an exposure of the maximum kind. It is as if you stand naked before the world. He provides insight into those who make their livelihood by writing and how they deal with this fear. There are countless anecdotes from many authors famous and infamous, well known or little known. "Along the way, I've learned three things. One is that I'll survive; finish the book and live to write another. Second, I'll regain my sanity (such as it is). Finally, I've learned that a rising tide of anxiety isn't necessarily bad. It is a sign that I am getting serious. Nervousness keeps me alert. Fear forces me to focus ..." If you are going to write, or you are still thinking about writing, this is the book to read. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Finding your own courage
Review: This book does not attempt to teach the craft or writing, such as plotting, characterization, dialog, etc., nor is it appropriate for non-fiction writing. Keys intent is to help the aspiring novelist deal with the fear of writing, which may be interpreted as the fear of exposure and/or rejection before our peers and family. Keys uses extensive quotes and anecdotes from various writers like Hemingway, E.B. White, Faulkner, Proust, Frost, and Ezra Pound to illustrate how great writers dealt with this fear. His anecdotes serve to prove the point that you are not alone in your fears. Even the best in the business felt fear. A previous reviewer mentioned an important point, which I feel needs to be re-iterated, and that is, Keys presents so many different takes on how various writers overcame their fears, the reader is left with a confusing array of options, none of which are presented in a concise or manageable format. Simply put, the book does not congeal any techniques into a workable plan. As a writer, I have read quite a few books on this subject and eat technique and craft ideas like candy. This book did not satisfy my appetite for clear-cut techniques. That said, the book succeeds in illustrating how we (writers) must all travel a private path towards his or her writing goals. This is a short and highly readable book, which I would recommend for all writers; however, while reading the book I remember feeling a bit depressed about the writing process. After reading this book, I pulled out the first draft of my second novel and began to rework it. We'll see where it goes.
Rating:
Summary: I've been looking for a book like this for a long time.
Review: This book helps me in dealing with the fears that have prevented me from writing. Keyes does not deal with "writer's block" in a detached, academic manner. He reminds the reader of the definition of courage and offers myriad examples of writers who have forced themselves to write even if it hurts. He offers no exercises or "quick fix" advice. The book inspires and warns. The ideas he presents may not be original, but his presentation is; the author's choices helped me realize that I'll never find a magic pill to help me write without discomfort. I have to roll up my sleeves, dig in and learn to enjoy how it feels. If you've already experienced such a revelation, the book's not for you. But if you're teetering between giving up and diving in, give the book a try.
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