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30th out of 57 books
—
10 voters
The Mindful Writer: Noble Truths of the Writing Life
by
Dinty W. Moore (Goodreads Author)
Going a step beyond typical "how to write" books, Moore illuminates the creative process: where writing and creativity originate, how mindfulness plays into work, how to cultivate good writing habits, how to grow as a writer — and a person! — and what it means to have a life dedicated to the craft of writing. There's not a writer alive, novice or master, who will not benef...more
Hardcover, 152 pages
Published
April 10th 2012
by Wisdom Publications
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A lot of stones have been thrown about by writers for writers or about the writing world. Dinty Moore seems to get them all right. He polishes them and in some cases, cuts new facets into them, revealing new angles and several become beautiful gems of wisdom and truth. An inspiring and truthful little book that I think will remain on my writing desk.
Dinty W. Moore is a master writer--he writes textbooks about writing, and he has the tickets for this position as an author and professor. But don't let that get in the way of enjoying his engaging book about the challenges of writing. He is a fellow sufferer in the world of 10,000 writerly pains. In _The Mindful Writer_, 59 sections begin with quotations from eminent writers, then Moore comments on them. Section 1 begins "A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for oth...more
The value of simplicity is that it cuts to the truth. In this case, the truth is that nobly ongoing effort of writers to live mindfully rather than in obedience to what the mind tells them.
The mind might tell them, for instance, not to sweat it, to wait for inspiration. Dinty W. Moore says, through Chuck Close, freeloading off the muse is for chumps. Writers work. Great writers work hard. It may not be the way it always seemed on the other side of the bookshelf. But Moore assures us that even n...more
The mind might tell them, for instance, not to sweat it, to wait for inspiration. Dinty W. Moore says, through Chuck Close, freeloading off the muse is for chumps. Writers work. Great writers work hard. It may not be the way it always seemed on the other side of the bookshelf. But Moore assures us that even n...more
The Mindful Writer, Dinty Moore's latest book—short, sweet meditations on writing—explains the source of his powers as a prolific writer: an effort at spiritual discipline, an approach to writing that emphasizes exploration and discovery, a love of revision.
Each brief chapter is headed by a quote that Moore loves about writing and which he then writes a few pages reflecting upon. For instance, this classic bon mot by Thomas Mann: “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it i...more
Each brief chapter is headed by a quote that Moore loves about writing and which he then writes a few pages reflecting upon. For instance, this classic bon mot by Thomas Mann: “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it i...more
As I was reading this, I found myself wishing some parts were longer, in part because I found many sections to be very insightful, but also because I was enjoying the book as a whole and didn't want it to be over so quickly. Here's the thing, though: no matter how many texts you read about Buddhism, eventually you just have to sit down and meditate. Reading about enlightenment is no more likely to bring it to you than reading about a million dollars would fatten your bank account. Likewise, no m...more
I truly enjoyed this quick read. The Mindful Writer was full of gems--advice on how to best approach the writing life. I found myself highlighting passages from almost each little chapter. I thought of myself and writer friends as I was reading. For example, the friend who struggles with perfecting sentences as she writes, the friend who struggles with telling the truth, the friend who lacks confidence in her talent. I plan to share passages with them and will suggest that they get their own cop...more
When asked how Buddhism influenced his writing, author Dinty Moore was initially stymied for an answer, until, true to his practice, he realized that the question was backwards. It was his writing that influenced his Buddhist practice, not the other way around. With this understanding, Moore provides 59 quotes from writers and Buddhist practitioners, along with short meditations on each. The result is a refreshing perspective on the art of writing, the shortfalls of the all-too-human writer, and...more
The quotes are thoughtfully selected, and I enjoyed Moore's brief responses to each one included. There is a Buddhist thread running through here, as the title hints, but it was not a distraction for me. I know I will return to flip through these pages for inspiration on days when my poems aren't coming together and words feel like fair-weather friends.
The book is organized into four sections: The Writer's Mind, The Writer's Desk, The Writer's Vision, and The Writer's Life. Perhaps because of th...more
The book is organized into four sections: The Writer's Mind, The Writer's Desk, The Writer's Vision, and The Writer's Life. Perhaps because of th...more
Concise and congenial--I'm finding myself getting attached to the practical view of writing and why writers write, offered in this book which is physically small ( about 4 inches by 6 inches, 142 pages)but large in content. I must admit I was initially drawn to the book because Professor Moore both teaches and directs the creative writing program at my alma mater, Ohio University. I'm glad I was drawn! Thank-you for writing this.
I really liked it. Tho I didn't read all of it as it was a library book and I took my time reading it and had to return in. I will pick up my own copy and flag my favorite quotes. Its purse size. :) And there is a quote from a different author for every occasion--happy, sad, frustrated or doubtful moment in the writer's life.
I also liked Dinty's take on writing. His comparison to Buddhism. Walking the middle path, mindset, etc.
Thanks to Lisa for sharing her copy with me. ;)
I also liked Dinty's take on writing. His comparison to Buddhism. Walking the middle path, mindset, etc.
Thanks to Lisa for sharing her copy with me. ;)
Sometimes I feel like when writers are writing books about writing, they are really writing books about what they think they should say about writing. And then they blather on and on.... Not this book.
Small enough to be an easy read with short quick sections, this book is perfect to pick up an put down. Worth five stars and more.
Small enough to be an easy read with short quick sections, this book is perfect to pick up an put down. Worth five stars and more.
Thoughtful little book that holds plenty of wisdom for writers, especially on those bad days. Just let go, and go you will. An excellent treasure for the writer starting out.
This is a great little book--both inspiring and instructional. Yes, there are a lot of writing books on the market, but this one can extend to anyone in the arts. Recommended.
Supportive and clear-eyed meditations, quoting all kinds of writing artists, to help folks like me keep on keeping on.
Compact book of writing wisdom. Good for workshop students to read one or two per class and reflect.
Please see my review in the May 2012 issue of THE WRITER magazine.
(review copy provided by the publisher)
(review copy provided by the publisher)
A great gift, an excellent ancillary text for a beginning writing class, a go-to book for inspiration and encouragement and reminders of why writers write.
Awesome quotes, Buddhism, quick inspirational (without being pretentious) passages. Perfection!
I enjoyed this book greatly. A very calming and inspiring read.
Inspiring, calming, identifiable. If you're a writer, let this book help you to feel like you're doing it right, even on your worst days.
Palm of the hand reflections on writing. I found some new favorites here.
This wasn't quite what I was expecting. It's a collection of short (very short) thoughts on how to overcome resistance to writing - I was hoping for more in depth ideas on the actual technical nitty gritty of writing. What to do with the words once they're on the page, I suppose, rather than how to get them there. Really, I was looking for a book on craft, rather than motivation.
This is a slim, gentle book that will likely be of most use if you have trouble getting started.
This is a slim, gentle book that will likely be of most use if you have trouble getting started.
Very nice little book I will revisit again and again.
Fricken awesome little book on writing, just a paragraph or two about common threads for writer's. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!!
This book could easily work as a book of writer's affirmations, each one's a nudge to put some ink on paper without lust for result.
Just finished this immense, but small (in size) book. Should be next to every writer's desk at all times--written to be referenced frequently when, in our insecurity, we forget what it's all about. Thanks, Dinty, for a terrific little "manual. Eloquent in its simplicity.
Jan 22, 2013
Cynthia Pauwels
added it
Highly recommended - I'll read this one again and again, dipping in to a page here and there when I need inspiration, or a mental boost!
May 14, 2013
Mary Mendoza
is currently reading it
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Dinty W. Moore is the author of numerous books, and has published essays and stories in The Southern Review, The Georgia Review, Harpers, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Gettysburg Review, Utne Reader, and Crazyhorse. He edits BREVITY, the journal of concise creative nonfiction (www.brevitymag.com) and teaches at Ohio University.
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