Why is it that some writers struggle for months to come up with the perfect sentence or phrase while others, hunched over a keyboard deep into the ...
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reviews
Sep 21, 2010
Hope to find this soon....in the meantime a review I found on google books. =
Editorial Review - Reed Business Information (c) 2003
Flaherty (The Massachusetts General Handbook of Neurology) mixes memoir, meditation, compendium and scholarly reportage in an odd but absorbing look at the neurological basis of writing and its pathologies. Like Oliver Sacks, Flaherty has her own story to tell a postpartum episode involving hypergraphia and depression that eventually hospitalized her. But More...
Editorial Review - Reed Business Information (c) 2003
Flaherty (The Massachusetts General Handbook of Neurology) mixes memoir, meditation, compendium and scholarly reportage in an odd but absorbing look at the neurological basis of writing and its pathologies. Like Oliver Sacks, Flaherty has her own story to tell a postpartum episode involving hypergraphia and depression that eventually hospitalized her. But More...
Dec 14, 2009
M. D.
rated it: 
I am far too great a snob to read a book like this except by accident – I found it at the Salvation Army. Snobbery is its own punishment, however, and I found I could not put this book down. It was fascinating, and unlike virtually all the “popular science” books I have ever read, its author (a neurologist and Harvard professor) never condescends to the reader and yet never blinded me with science. The act of writing (and in the case of writer’s block, not writing) is now just as weird to me
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Feb 05, 2009
"Researchers will soon be able to see which patterns of brain activity underlie creativity," Flaherty claims. By offering some powerful physiological theories for the creative process, Flaherty debunks the idea that creativity stems from psychological inspiration. A few impenetrable parts notwithstanding, she eloquently translates scientific information into layman's terms, instilling her narrative with fascinating literary and personal anecdotes and practical advice for writers. Citin
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Jun 29, 2010
Sherri
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I started the book last summer as part of my attempt to get over my own blocked writing. It took me a long time to read not because the book is difficult or boring. It is neither of those things. However, it is a book packed to bursting with ideas that require digesting. A doctor and scientist goes through her own mental illness, which causes changes in her relationship to writing. That leads her to explore how our brains allow us to write (or keep us from writing), among other things. This is a
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Apr 04, 2007
Amanda
rated it:
Flaherty's study of mental illness and the desire to write, inspired by her personal experience with both. As with the DSM-IV, you will end up diagnosing yourself with half the brain disorders recounted here. In other words, it is a lot of fun.
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Jan 18, 2012
Sara
rated it: 
The book tried and failed everything. My complaints?
1. The writing was horrible. It needed a heartless editor. It rarely left the hypergraphic stage-- incoherent and longwinded.
2. I'm highly skeptical of all the posthumous diagnoses. (You know Moses' metal illnesses? Really?)
3. The science didn't seem to hold up, mainly relying on the above. (If there was much behind it, it stayed behind).
4. The author's experience was annoyingly invoked and abandoned. It interrupted the More...
1. The writing was horrible. It needed a heartless editor. It rarely left the hypergraphic stage-- incoherent and longwinded.
2. I'm highly skeptical of all the posthumous diagnoses. (You know Moses' metal illnesses? Really?)
3. The science didn't seem to hold up, mainly relying on the above. (If there was much behind it, it stayed behind).
4. The author's experience was annoyingly invoked and abandoned. It interrupted the More...
Jul 26, 2009
Robin
rated it:
What I learned from this book" --
1) I am a writer. There were too many times I recognized myself when Flaherty discussed the act or the desire or the joy in writing.
2) When reading a piece written by a scientist, I expect it to be point-driven, logical, and to build upon previous conclusions. <Sigh> This work is not.
Frequently I found myself reading, "And the third idea is ..." only to reply, "Huh??" The author seems unable to sta More...
1) I am a writer. There were too many times I recognized myself when Flaherty discussed the act or the desire or the joy in writing.
2) When reading a piece written by a scientist, I expect it to be point-driven, logical, and to build upon previous conclusions. <Sigh> This work is not.
Frequently I found myself reading, "And the third idea is ..." only to reply, "Huh??" The author seems unable to sta More...
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(1 person liked it)
Jul 18, 2010
Kari
rated it:
This is a strange, interesting, sometimes bizarre look into the psychology of the drive to write, written by a psychologist who has struggled with depression and mania that affected her drive to write. It is a highly erudite book; the references ramble between psychology studies and classical literature -- Flaherty is certainly well-read, and her book is easily readable by those who are not well-versed in psychology. She explores the links between madness and creativity, religion and inspiration
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Dec 19, 2007
Tracey
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A few months ago, I heard an interview on NPR with the author, Alice Weaver Flaherty. I submitted a purchase request at the local library, and earlier this month, they purchased a copy & I checked it out.
Ms. Flaherty, a physician, suffered an episode of post-partum depression after her twin sons died; this depression was manifested in (among other behaviours) hypergraphia - an uncontrollable desire to write, and write and write. Once she recovered (more or less) she decided to explo More...
Ms. Flaherty, a physician, suffered an episode of post-partum depression after her twin sons died; this depression was manifested in (among other behaviours) hypergraphia - an uncontrollable desire to write, and write and write. Once she recovered (more or less) she decided to explo More...
Dec 23, 2008
Tristan
rated it:
A psychological and physilogical exploration of both graphiphilia and writer's block. As I am not a compulsive writer nor a particularly compulsive person, I found the section on writer's block significantly more interesting than the first on compulsive writing. The author's background in science is an asset and is the main draw for the book. For the most part she is clear succinct, but she does digress in some spots. Not groundbreaking, but you will learn something have read this book.
May 12, 2009
Ghennipher
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This is one of my all-time favorite books! I bought this book years ago and have read it at least 4 times.
The book is fascinating in its descriptions of writers who had The Midnight Disease - an untamable urge to write, as well as authors who suffered with writer's block who could prolifically write notes to friends but could not write a page in a book without agony.
Ms. Flaherty makes complex brain processes understandable and interesting in this great book about creativity
The book is fascinating in its descriptions of writers who had The Midnight Disease - an untamable urge to write, as well as authors who suffered with writer's block who could prolifically write notes to friends but could not write a page in a book without agony.
Ms. Flaherty makes complex brain processes understandable and interesting in this great book about creativity
Jan 30, 2009
Lee
rated it:
I guess I should have expected it from a book on hypergraphia, but this book was a little long-winded and disorganized, as if the writer got upon her favorite topic (the brain) and kept going until she'd told you everything she knew, including lots of personal speculation. If you're actually interested in what there is to say about the brain function that creates writer's block and conditions like it, well...despite that being what the book's billed for, there's not much more than brief speculat
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Feb 25, 2008
Al
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Similar vein (so I'm told) as Kay Redfield Jamison's An Unquiet Mind. If not just for content, the authors' experiences are similar. The book is easy to read and despite being a medical doctor Flaherty doesn't burden her readers with medical jargon. The premise and context of the book is interesting. Writing as soul search and academic inquiry creates an artistic tension I think Flaherty does well. The subject of her research is off-putting though: the science of creativity. I don't believe c
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Dec 27, 2010
Wendy
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A fascinating and quirky look at the neuroscience behind creativity and its maladapted shadows, block and hypergraphia. Flaherty occasionally makes major leaps from scant evidence, but she admits it is so and part of the attraction of the book is her willingness to make such risky conclusions.
Aug 28, 2008
Grace
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I loved this book for it's wealth of information regarding general brain functions compared to mentally ill people as well as its insight on the how creativity and writing are functions of the brain. However, the moments of "Where the hell did this come from?" almost overshadow my enjoyment of the book. For example, in the last chapter, the author spends several pages d.iscussing religion in a chapter about metaphor, the inner voice, and the muse. Sometimes I just couldn't follow her t
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May 20, 2009
Megan
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This is a fascinating combination of brain science and dry humor! Writer's block (and hypergraphia) are just the jumping off point for her discussion of how the brain is organized and where creative endeavor stems (as in brain stem?) from-- She's pretty funny when she scoffs at the usual self-help pablum for writer's block from the usual suspects--I am still waiting for the explanation (and cure???) for procratination which she promises at the beginning of the book-- Highly recommend to a
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Sep 07, 2010
Garrett
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I really enjoyed this book. I wish they would have used some examples from autistic people, and how that influences writing abilities. I have not read many scientific books in a long time, but from a neuro-surgeon's point of view, everything makes sense.
Jul 23, 2010
Jackie
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What a fascinating look at the neurological drive to write, the complicated inspirations and blocks. Flaherty uses her own medical training and personal experiences to delve into questions and theories that surround creativity and the creative brain.
Feb 14, 2008
Lorraine
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I read this book shortly after it came out. As a writer, I wonder at what drives me to sit for hours staring at a blank page, or at a computer screen, waiting--not always patiently--for words to come. When they do, it is frequently a near-orgasmic experience, and in reading this book, written by a neurologist who became a writer, I learned why.
I also learned why writing is so tied into grief, and why, when my lover died, the only place that I found real solace was with fountain pen More...
I also learned why writing is so tied into grief, and why, when my lover died, the only place that I found real solace was with fountain pen More...
Jan 22, 2009
Nicole
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I didn't quite finish reading the book, I skimmed over the parts that didnt hold my interest in order to get through it. I thought it brought some good incite into the realm of creativity and brain functions. The one thing that made it difficult for me to stay interested was the heavy use of excerpts from other peoples writing, to many quote made the authors voice lost.
Oct 18, 2011
Brian
rated it:
Very interesting book, especially to a person with an interest in writing or literature, full of interesting facts and clever ideas. A bit slow or hard to read at points, perhaps dragged down by sheer science-ness, but equally uplifted by the author's insights. I had many of those almost shocking moments while reading this where it feels as if the author is talking directly to, or about, you. Well worth a read.
May 31, 2010
Ben
rated it:
Great stuff, though some of the brain science from the author's background as a neurologist went over my frontal lobes.
She has a nice personable style and is conversant with a broad range of literature as well as the relevant science. Best of all, she doesn't have anything against entertaining writing but never stoops to the pop platitudes that sell more books.
She has a nice personable style and is conversant with a broad range of literature as well as the relevant science. Best of all, she doesn't have anything against entertaining writing but never stoops to the pop platitudes that sell more books.
Nov 20, 2008
For some reason i am not reading this book in order but I love it. It is really interesting. I don't have much to say yet because I'm still working on chapter 4....
Dec 18, 2009
kat
rated it:
The most interesting book I've ever read--on any topic. It's not just about hypergraphia--it's a fascinating history of reading, writing, and the human brain.
Apr 27, 2009
I really need to get this book I think. I'm struggling with such a weird writers block/obsession/fear lately, I'd love to find out the 'science' behind it.
Apr 17, 2008
Craig
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Basically a neuroscientist's look at creative writing, this book looks at mental illness and its links to writing, where the creative urge comes from, how language works in the brain, and a whole lot more. I was really intrigued with a lot of the theories throughout and I learned a lot that I didn't know before about the inner workings of the brain. (Guess that's why I have an English degree) A slow read, but a very interesting book. I especially liked the more personal tone that the author
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Feb 13, 2008
The Cute Little Brown-haired girl
rated it:
This book tells of the "disease" of writing and compulsive writing. It really gives a layman's perspective on writers throughout history that have written classics we are all aware of, but that their mental state while writing is "different" from just the run-of-the-mill person. It really delves into the psychology of writing, why we write, and what is different in the brain chemistry of those that "have to" write vs. those that do it because they are just "wir
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Sep 14, 2009
The Midnight Disease : The Drive to Write, Writer's Block, and the Creative Brain by Alice Weaver Flaherty (2005)
Oct 24, 2010
Fantastic read -- especially when you're actually suffering from writer's block.
Aug 24, 2007
JD
rated it: 
Holy crap what a horrible book.
I thought this book would be much more, hoping for a book about dreams, writing, and psychology, but instead you get what seems like a post-doctorate paper that could be published in a biochemistry letter. I mean, you can't read this stuff at all! I have a BS in psychology and of course knew that literary creation is based in the brain, but come on, dumb some stuff down for us, please! I hate when doctors write for doctors and not the public.
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I thought this book would be much more, hoping for a book about dreams, writing, and psychology, but instead you get what seems like a post-doctorate paper that could be published in a biochemistry letter. I mean, you can't read this stuff at all! I have a BS in psychology and of course knew that literary creation is based in the brain, but come on, dumb some stuff down for us, please! I hate when doctors write for doctors and not the public.
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