The author of "The Artist's Way" shows how readers can make writing a natural, intensely personal part of their lives.
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Feb 03, 2008
Salma
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I really like Julia Cameron's books. Her prose reads with the rhythm and color of poetry, so it isn't like your typical 'how-to-write' book. Whereas other books 'tell' you where and how to get inspired, Cameron does this by merely putting words to the page. I also think this is the most encouraging and open book on writing I've ever read. I call it my 'block-remover.'
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Jul 21, 2008
Andi
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The book is subtitled "An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life," and thus is about the ways that people can start a writing practice that focuses on writing for the sake of the process rather than the sake of the product. Julia Cameron puts it this way:
If we are invested in a writing life -- as opposed to a writing career -- then we are in it for the process and not the product. We are in it for the body of work and not for the quick hit of one well-realized piece." More...
If we are invested in a writing life -- as opposed to a writing career -- then we are in it for the process and not the product. We are in it for the body of work and not for the quick hit of one well-realized piece." More...
Mar 23, 2010
Grace
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I have several other things more pressing to do this evening then finish reading a book, but I just had to finish Julia Cameron's "The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life" because I just couldn't stand to read it anymore.
At a short 230 pages, Cameron's book falls well within the range of a 'how-to on writing' book. The chapters were relatively short in length and ended with an "Initiation Tool" to get you on your way to a writing li More...
At a short 230 pages, Cameron's book falls well within the range of a 'how-to on writing' book. The chapters were relatively short in length and ended with an "Initiation Tool" to get you on your way to a writing li More...
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Jun 29, 2010
Richard
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Having delved into Julia Cameron’s best-selling book, The Artist’s Way, a self-help guide to unblocking creativity and realizing artistic potential, I’ve been exploring her other books as well. The Right to Write is rooted in the same fundamentals as The Artist’s Way. But whereas The Artist’s Way is more a workshop in book format supporting all types of creativity (writing, painting, acting, filmmaking, etc.), The Right to Write is a collection of essays finely tailored specifically to writers
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Jan 17, 2011
CX
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This book works for me as a New Year's writer's kick in the butt; here are the key items:
1/ Morning Pages (3 pages, long hand, every day); counter-point, shorter, less frequent Evening Page
2/ Narrative Time Line (your life in 5-year intervals, with a writing friend)
3/ Cups (filling in the NTL)
4/ Weekly Artist Date (for 2 & 3, you write together, across the table)
5/ 43 Initiation Tools (including "how tos" for all of the above)
Easy to read More...
1/ Morning Pages (3 pages, long hand, every day); counter-point, shorter, less frequent Evening Page
2/ Narrative Time Line (your life in 5-year intervals, with a writing friend)
3/ Cups (filling in the NTL)
4/ Weekly Artist Date (for 2 & 3, you write together, across the table)
5/ 43 Initiation Tools (including "how tos" for all of the above)
Easy to read More...
Oct 02, 2011
Julie
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This is not really a book to just read through, but rather to work through. Each chapter is a short inspiration and encouragement to get in touch with our "inner writer", whether you consider yourself a writer or not. Julia Cameron's belief is that we are all writers and have the ability to express ourselves on paper. She downplays the "tortured writer" stereotype and tries to encourage everyone to discover the joy of expression and creativity through words.
Jul More...
Jul More...
Jan 15, 2009
David
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Very hippy-dippy and new agey (Writing as channeling? Really?), but that flaky positivity was actually something I liked about this book. The author -IMO rightfully- tries to demystify the creative writing process and make it something that anyone can participate in. The idea of "art as suffering" or that there is a difference between a "writer" and "someone who writes" are facile ideas I've always despised & it's good to see someone take the piss out of such pre
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May 07, 2011
Mirliz
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I really liked this book. Generally I enjoy books about writing because they make me want to write even more myself. This one really did inspire me, especially as I'm having a writer's block at the moment. Several chapters hit the mark perfectly - I thought "yeah, that's me, exactly..." and I found that all the reasons as to why I'm not writing or even trying to write were turned into dust. I will definitely use this book and its exercises to get my writing going again. How lucky I was
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Jan 15, 2012
Seymour
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This book could be well on its way to being a classic and an essential rite of passage for anyone who wants to write for pleasure or professionally.
Julia Cameron has set herself the mission of debunking the myth of "writers" being some special class of human being who must starve in a garret for the sake of their craft and uses her words to gently liberate and nurture the essential writer that she believes lies in every person.
The accumulated wisdom of her years More...
Julia Cameron has set herself the mission of debunking the myth of "writers" being some special class of human being who must starve in a garret for the sake of their craft and uses her words to gently liberate and nurture the essential writer that she believes lies in every person.
The accumulated wisdom of her years More...
Sep 09, 2010
Kristie J.
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I was going to give this book two stars because I got bored reading several of the chapters in the middle, however, I decided that there are enough good exercises and quotes about writing to give the book three stars.
I appreciated the author’s open, accepting, and welcoming attitude toward beginner writers. She encourages everyone to be a writer - all they have to do is start writing. The last several chapters have useful writing tips such as how to find a topic to write about and h More...
I appreciated the author’s open, accepting, and welcoming attitude toward beginner writers. She encourages everyone to be a writer - all they have to do is start writing. The last several chapters have useful writing tips such as how to find a topic to write about and h More...
Jan 08, 2011
April
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I bought this in 2008, read the first chapter and did the first exercise, then did nothing else. I wasn't doing the exercises so I didn't let myself keep reading. Finally it made me feel guilty seeing it on my bedside table so I hid it away on a shelf.
I picked it up again earlier this month and went ahead and read the whole thing. Didn't do any of the exercises this time except for one mid-way through, which was to start writing "Morning Pages." Still doing that so far. More...
I picked it up again earlier this month and went ahead and read the whole thing. Didn't do any of the exercises this time except for one mid-way through, which was to start writing "Morning Pages." Still doing that so far. More...
Mar 04, 2009
Sarah
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This was a wonderful book that really helped me to sort out ideas for being a better writer. I felt she had written it just for me. Julia Cameron really makes you feel entitled and empowered as a writer and describes how she makes writing such a big part of her life. I would highly recommend this book to any level of writer or even for those people who don't think writing is all that important. Great book!
Jun 06, 2008
lee lee
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mmmmmmmmmmmmm....yummy. i love this book. i love everything about this book, even the title. i think this is partly because it was one of the very first books on writing (the first?) that someone gave to me, the act of which gave me much confidence and made me feel very special. i love getting books, almost as much as i love giving them.
outside of that special story...the book itself is also quite good. you will find this hard to believe if you look over my bookshelves, but i'm a More...
outside of that special story...the book itself is also quite good. you will find this hard to believe if you look over my bookshelves, but i'm a More...
Jan 18, 2009
Lacey
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Fabulous! Absolutely outstanding. If you want to be motivated, rejuvenated, re-energized toward writing... look no further than THE RIGHT TO WRITE. Julia Cameron is a creativity genius. She understands the writer's life perhaps better than anyone. I couldn't put this book down. It's going to have a permanent place on my keeper shelf. 'Nuff said. Excellent, excellent book. (A+)
Jan 25, 2011
Jessica
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The author of The Artist's Way had some good things to say about writing... but she said them over and over. Full of advice both inspiring and vague, meaningful yet impractical, she overuses her puns and rhetorical devices. This guide might be useful for a beginning writer (which she says we all are) or not, I can't tell because it got too repetitive and I disengaged.
Apr 12, 2011
Jim
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For anyone considering writing, whether for a profession or the shear love of writing itself, this book is a excellent guide through the process of filling the paper with the words. It dives into the uniquely human experience that is the writing process and explains, while encouraging, why it is in our nature to tell the stories we have.
Oct 06, 2011
Ivory
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I loved it! Period. A wonderful reminder why we writers write. This book is for anybody needing a pick up, and a renewal as a writer.
She has a unique way of putting things that resound and resonate with truth. Why do we write? Because it is who we are.
Loved it.
She has a unique way of putting things that resound and resonate with truth. Why do we write? Because it is who we are.
Loved it.
Aug 11, 2008
Tommy
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Julia Cameron certainly makes one feel like they should write, often and without hesitation. Essentially, she holds up the banner of writing for the sake of writing, not for publication or profit.
It's therapeutic. It teaches us to be better communicators and human beings. It's spiritual. It invites us to be creators rather than spectators. Cameron captures a certain passion that makes the reader hungry to break out pen and journal.
There are moments of navel gazing an More...
It's therapeutic. It teaches us to be better communicators and human beings. It's spiritual. It invites us to be creators rather than spectators. Cameron captures a certain passion that makes the reader hungry to break out pen and journal.
There are moments of navel gazing an More...
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May 13, 2009
Mary
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Hubby gave this book to me when I was ill and stuck in bed and certainly not in the mood to write. I found this book very inspirational on a spiritual level. This book is a must have for any writer who believes writing can be a sensual and passionate experience.
Dec 07, 2008
earthy
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Soothing, inspiring, and thoughtful. Cameron's books have started to seem a little overwrought to me, but this one is lively and makes the art of writing seem less like Art and more like something possible and even fun.
Apr 10, 2009
Jaron
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This book is my little yellow brick of inspiration. I read a couple chapters and have to stop because I can't keep myself from writing. I agree with almost everything she says and it's helped me to become a better writer.
Oct 20, 2009
Mandi
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I love her books because the approach is passion, not publication. It is about helping the average person find how writing can enrich their lives. I think EVERYONE should read this book and do the activities, you don't have to see yourself as a writer to do it and you will gain many personal benefits as a result.
Jan 30, 2011
Lisa
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If it meets you where you're at, this book has power to transform your thought process and unblock some negative barriers to your writing. A lovely time I had reading this...
Jul 18, 2011
Kls0508
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Very user-friendly and encourages writers to appreciate the act of writing- even if they are never published! End of the book feels a bit redundant.
Mar 03, 2010
Amanda
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A fantastic resource for anyone who has ever thought "I could never be a good enough writer to write." I love the way cameron approaches writing. It is very organic, and all about finding what is right for you personally. I just did a read through, but I can't wait to go back through slowly and try the exercises.
May 05, 2009
I love to write, so I enjoy reading most any book about writing -- and this one is pretty darn great so far!
Nov 11, 2010
Jacey Eckhart talked about this author in her book "The Homefront Club" and really admired her.
Aug 15, 2010
Although this ISBN listing shows that it's a hardcover, I have a paperback with the same ISBN.
Mar 31, 2009
D.
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Some interesting stuff--some of it very helpful, some of it a bit too foofy for me.
