The Writer's Book of Hope : Getting from Frustration to Publication

Rating:
Summary: A new lease on my writing life
Review: I've read enough self-help and inspirational books, and books about writing, to last a lifetime, so when I spied The Writer's Book of Hope at my public library, I hesitated. But the title caught my eye, and I ended up gulping it down it in a few sessions. I'm glad I did-it's given me a new perspective on my writing practice. I've learned that frustration, cluelessness, and despair are a normal part of the writing process. And while I still encounter the same writing problems I did before, I'm more easygoing about them. It's as if I've adopted a new attitude: "So I'm clueness at the moment-that's OK, it will pass." I'm much more at ease and confident of my abilities, and I've developed a broader perspective on the writing process-all of which is increasing my productivity and enjoyment at my typewriter.

The book is clearly the result of a lot of research. (Check out the photos on Keyes' Web site showing the yards of file cabinets in his house.) Keyes doesn't trot out the tired authors' anecdotes that we've all heard before; he serves up a host of tidbits that were new to me. The quotes by masters (such as Tolstoy) about their lack of "talent" are alone worth the price of the book. I also appreciated Keyes' no-nonsense tone. I was expecting New Age warmth and fuzziness, but Keyes pulls no punches. Take his observation that some people who give up writing do so not because they lack talent, but because they are uncomfortable spending long periods alone. That's not a "nice" thing to say, but it's truthful and important to know.

The Writer's Book of Hope delivers on its promise. It provides practical hope and inspiration to writers based on a clear-eyed view of the writing profession. It gave me a new lease on my writing life.

Rating:
Summary: The Writer's Book of Hope
Review: Ralph Keyes' The Writer's Book of Hope manages to be most encouraging to any writer and very interesting to anyone else. This book is well-written, funny, challenging, consoling and very informative. If there is a writer who ever said anything interesting and provocative about writing, there is a good chance he or she is quoted in this book. We read Nobel Prize Winner Thomas Mann's remark that "The writer is someone for whom writing is harder than for other people;" novelist Gail Godwin's reflection about time spent writing with little energy and hope: "I find I have indeed written some sentences that wouldn't have been there if I hadn't gone up to write them;" and a hundred others. Such observations encourage writers as they find their own doubts and frustrations mirrored in those who have overcome them. Perhaps most important, the writer realizes that he or she is part of the great fellowship of writers not because of publishing success, but through the simple act of showing up steadily to write. This is the central theme of the book: stay with your writing; don't give up; don't be stopped by mood, doubt, confusion or fear, and something will come of it. A writer who has this book next to the computer has a most helpful friend as company. Someone who gives this book to beginning, or even accomplished, writers has found a believable way to offer support and useable knowledge.

The book is full of clear information about subtle and direct discouragers of writing and about the availability of encouragers and where to find them. Keyes tells the writer how to get started, keep going, get help and how to finally find and influence publishers to get your book in print. Chapter titles include "Dealing with Discouragers," "Exorcizing Excuses," and "The Publishing Tribe." Ralph Keyes has been teaching writing for over thirty years while himself publishing ten books and countless articles. The writer henefits from the experience and insight of a person who has watched hundreds of writing projects begin and far fewer achieve completion -- and has learned what makes the difference.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: This book really opened my eyes to the reality of the publishing world. It also helped disapate a lot of anger and self pity I was feeling. Who knew you had to work this hard? Well, now I do. So it goes. I can now forge ahead without feeling so sorry for myself!