Living the Writer's Life

Rating:
Summary: Not for the solo writer
Review: I've tried twice to use this book and gave up. It's not that the book is bad. It's that to really get any value from it, you need at least a writing partner, if not a writing group. Although the front matter says you can use the book as an individual, in all practical terms you can't. Most of the exercises require someone to role play with, to get ideas from, or to exchange feedback.

For someone who wants to run a weekend workshop or retreat, or already has access to a writing partner or group, this book maximizes that dynamic. Solo writers, however, would do better with any of Eric Maisel's other books.

Rating:
Summary: Gaining Perspective
Review: Maisel is very knowledgeable on the subject of the problems writers face. He discusses everything, from relationships of all kinds to the definition of a writing "career," your education, your craft, drug addictions, your personality, your challenges, your strengths, and so on. Finally he ends up with the "nine Cs," a framework for thinking about the various issues you face.

He doesn't have solutions for everything (and doesn't pretend to), but he does have some ideas to get you started. He helps you to see where the problems are, which alone can make a difference. Even if you don't think you have big problems this book can still be useful; it puts a lot of things in perspective.

Maisel has several goals for this book. One is to help writers who have problems. Another is to let would-be writers know the stark truths about the industry they're thinking of entering. Yet another is to help people who have trouble sitting down to write--whether they're veterans suffering from burnout or psychological blocks, or would-be writers who haven't written a single word yet.

Read this before deciding to become a writer! More potential writers should know what they're getting themselves into up front. Also read this if you're a writer and your life is anything less than perfect--like me, you might find that it helps in surprising ways. While there is some stuff in here about "affirmations" and other psychological pep-talk that some people might shy away from, it's a solidly practical book that anyone could benefit from.

Rating:
Summary: This is the book I wish I had read five years ago!
Review: Whether you write for yourself or others, and whether you are a beginning writer or somewhere further along the road toward authorship, this book will be useful. Writer and psychotherapist Eric Maisel speaks volumes in this one small book, clearly explaining the obstacles and rewards to the writer's life.

Filled with good ideas, humor, and encouragement, Eric Maisel has written a book that is infinitely accessible and interesting. I highly recommend it!