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Summary: Flipping through this book makes you WANT to write
Review: As an author and writing teacher, I own scores of books on both the art and the craft of writing. Too many of them make the process of putting pen to page seem intimidating. Judy Reeve's book is the best of its kind. Just flipping through it makes you feel like writing. Lovely layout, margin notes, quotes by famous and not-so-famous people, and many, many writing prompts to get your juices and your pen flowing onto paper.
Hurrah!
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Summary: Love this book!
Review: As one whose interest (and publication experience) is in literary fiction and not category fiction (such as - and in particular - romance), I found this book incredibly helpful. There are two possible approaches: you can do the prompts as journal entries that directly reflect your personal experience, or you can take them on as creative writing prompts. I chose the latter and have stockpiled several snippets of fiction (description, dialogue, scenes) that can be built into larger works. My usual approach with them is each morning to try to write fiction for each prompt, but for some, I've tried poetry, lists, and occasionally, journal entries. As for the rest of the book, I'd strongly reccomend first reading Scott Edelstein's "100 Things a Writer Should Know," and in particular the part where he debunks all those "must" rules you find in writing books (including this one) such as "you must write by hand." I do and I don't, depending on what tools are available at the time. All in all, though, I like the variety of prompts, and the fact there are so MANY. Not just one every day, but at 5 or 6 more per month with a few more sprinkled in-between. If you can't find something to write about in the midst of all that, you may need to check for your pulse.
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Summary: Fantastic for the Writer in You!
Review: Every writer should have this book in their Library. The prompts can be used in any way but I like them as they are planned out by date. If you enjoy prompt writing or are just in need of extra support this is a fantastic book.
I do not recommend buyin her Kit as it is very similar to this book. And this book is the Gem to complete your Journal topics.
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Summary: The Perfect Writing Buddy - Lots of Ideas and Inspiration
Review: I am always on the look out for quality writing books which will inspire me as a writer and that I can recommend to others to inspire their writing as well. Judy Reeve's well received book is successful on both counts - exceeds my hopes and expectations in every way (except, perhaps for the unusual color choice of orange for a highlight color in the layout of the book.)
The book is simple to understand and implement. Each month of the year has a guideline, some interesting content with fun facts like James Michener started writing at age 40 and easy to follow tips of the month.
There is a writing prompt for every day of the year. No writer would be lost for ideas with this book close at hand. I can see myself using it and re-using it and re-using it.
Reeves comes across as a writing buddy sharing thoughts and guidance in perfectly reasonable and re-readable doses.
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Summary: Writing is fun for me again
Review: I cannot say enough good things about this book. Judy Reeves provides a wealth of information on how to simply put pen to paper and let your imagination take control. Reeves' words give the writer support and encouragement to let his or her voice come through, and she has insights on how to successfully conquer writer's block. I actually felt like I was sitting in on one of her writing workshops. I hadn't taken the time to write anything in quite awhile because I felt burned out & nothing seemed to inspire my creative voice. Since I received Reeves' book several days ago, I have spent more time writing in that short period of time than I have in the previous 6 months. And in my writing sessions I could really feel the power of my words and imagination coming together. What's more, I can hardly wait to get started on the next day's writing exercise. This book has singlehandedly made me feel good about writing again. If you are stuck in a rut, A Writer's Book of Days will serve as a magnificent jumpstart. If your work is flowing smoothly, this book will make your writing--and the way you approach it--even better. I have a collection of writing books, but I know this is the one I will come back to again & again.
Rating: 
Summary: A prompt now and again
Review: I've owned and read more than a handful of books on the craft of writing and I've yet to take one seriously. The advice given is all well and good, usually well intentioned, but hardly ever applies to its audience. Really, one more book telling me to play the "what if" game is the last thing I need. And, in all honesty, I can't say that the advice and anecdotes recorded in *A Writer's Book of Days* is all that different. ~However~, this book does provide a few things that others don't. It's an enjoyable read. If you want to find out which authors wrote while in the bathtub then, by all means, you must own this book. But more than that, the prompts in this book are actually helpful. Sometimes all you need is a single thought, a startling image, to have an idea that you may have otherwise never found. Reeves simplifies her promts, allowing the writer to do the work, by giving us a word or at most a phrase to use as a springboard. I have consistently found that they do get you writing. And, really, that was all I wanted this book to do for me.
Rating:
Summary: Your Writing Days Will Fly!
Review: Judy Reeves has written a brilliant and inspiring book filled with writing prompts, suggestions and exercises which should be a part of every writer's desk set. This book is filled with a year's worth of writing material. Each month begins with a guideline like, "Keep Writing," and, "Kiss Your Frogs," then offers daily writing topics, tips and suggestions for meeting the life of a writer. Reeves writes each chapter with inspirational eagerness making those days of writers block seem like history. Her directions are easy to follow, her ideas are fun and inventive and her tips make good sense. A must have for every serious writer!
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Summary: I Couldn't Keep From Writing...
Review: Judy Reeves has written a gem of a book--one that actually got me writing in a matter of minutes. I've been so busy with my writing web community that I told myself I wasn't going to look at my review copy of A Writer's Book of Days until after the first of the year. But once the book was in hand, I couldn't help but thumb through the pages. The stunning design and functional format hooked me immediately. Pretty soon I was reading--and the next thing you know, I was writing on one of the daily writing prompts the book offers. Imagine that--WRITING! I haven't had time for writing--just for the pleasure of it--in months. I've been writing three or more "practice pages" a day ever since, and loving every minute of it. A Writer's Book of Days is a wonderful motivational tool, but it's also a delicious book full of advice that will, quite simply, make you feel like writing. Reeves encourages practice writing, and includes a year's worth of "writing prompts" designed to jump-start the creative process. But don't dismiss this book as another new-agey volume on freewriting. It's as practical as it is motivational. Reeves' writing is personable and honest. Her book makes you feel as though you're sipping coffee with your favorite writing buddy, talking shop. I'll be offering my highest recommendation on the Coffeehouse for Writers website!
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Summary: I Am A Writer
Review: Judy Reeves is a superb teacher and I have taken courses with her for many years. In truth, it was Judy who inspired me to pursue this creative endeavor.
Her multiple strategies for both writing alone and joining write groups are inspirational. Judy offers practical advise. At the same time she encourages anyone who wants to write to reach for the stars.
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Summary: rowanarcher is SO wrong
Review: Not quite but almost worthless. There is no advice here beyond common sense. A friend gave me this as a gift and after reading through half of it I realized that I could be writing my book instead of reading this nonsense. So here is MY advice to other writers: 1. Quit reading these stupid "how to write" books. Either you can or you can't.
2. Pick up the pen or sit at the keyboard and write something. These books only give you excuses of why your "muse" isn't having a good day so you can't do it unless someone takes your sweet little hand and walks you across the street.
3. If you spent the same amount of time writing something productive instead of the typical "excersizes" found in these books, you'd have a complete manuscript of your own by now.
4. Use common sense. To write, you have to write regularly. It is a job. Do it, and quit whining. I have to agree with the other reviewer abount not liking the stab at the romance genre and several other things mentioned. The romance genre is a great place for a writer to get published and be introduced to the business. And writing by hand slows most people down. You think faster than you can write it on paper. Please note that the About The Author statement in this book states that the author is at work on her first novel. Her only other experience is in "writer's practice groups" and in an anthology of those practice groups. So in short, she has no experience aside from this book, yet she is trying to tell writers how to do it. Bravo! That takes guts. I was going to give it two stars until I just read the About The Author. Now I would give it zero but Amazon won't let me.
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