Writing to Change the World

by Mary Pipher
Writing to Change the World  
published 2006 by Riverhead Hardcover
binding Hardcover
isbn 1594489203   (isbn13: 9781594489204)
pages 256
description In these tumultuous times, don't we all want to be heard? Who doesn't want to transform the world? And who doesn't harbor a secret ambition to write? ...more
date added
01-20-07



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 95)



Erik
Erik rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
06/06/08

Read in June, 2008
For a such a gifted writer, Mary Pipher's title sure is trite. I initially bought this book for its high recommendations from the critics circle, and for being a cheapie remainder through Amazon. Luckily, within a few chapters, I was relieved to discover that you can't always just a book by it's cover title. Some people don't like "touchy-feely" how-to books -- and I'm certainly one of them -- yet Pipher effortlessly transcends this tired genre by delving deep into the essential human ...more
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Venessa
Venessa rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
01/03/08

Read in January, 2007
What I found most valuable about this book were the plethora of quotes from people that I wrote down in my above mentioned little notebook of quotes. Also the chapter on blogging was much appreciated, as I recently started one of my own and was wondering if that was taking time away from when I could be "really" writing, as a friend of my best friend suggested when she started hers (really, it was affirmation, as I had already decided that I wouldn't be "writing" writing if I...more
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Wendy
Wendy rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
08/10/07

bookshelves: onwriting
Read in January, 2006
recommends it for: People who feel they have something to say
Psychiatrist and writer Mary Pipher, author of "Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of our Adolescent Girls," gives sage advice for those who want to use writing to make an impact. She reminds us that change doesn't have to be large-scale to be important; affecting even one person is a way to make a change. She counsels us on how to best write to make an impact. Some of her advice: write about what's important to you; fill your first draft with emotion; and remove much of that emotion ...more
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Grey
Grey rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
03/16/08

I recently finished this book, having started it last summer. (I put it down for a couple of months during a period of boredom.) At times inspirational and at times preachy, it offers a good overview of the power of persuasive writing and guidance on ways to do it effectively. The section on the writing process discusses some of the fundamentals of writing (experienced writers can appreciate a refresher), and the section on calls to action addresses specific media for writing (blogs, speeches, e...more
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Marian
Marian rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
03/17/08

No new exciting techniques for writing a best seller, just quiet observations on how to quietly observe the world around us. She gives many examples from her own experience that I enjoy reading.
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Meghan
Meghan rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
07/27/07

Read in July, 2007
this book kind of sucked and i skipped a bunch of parts. maybe it will be useful someday. maybe i have a job in fall. who knows?
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Deb
Deb rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
03/19/08

Pipher comes across as a very lovely woman, passionate about social justice issues. Sort of a how-to. Also a why-to. Inspiring.
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Felicity
Felicity rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
05/17/08

Loved this! Full of great advice from both the practical and the inspirational categories.
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Matt
Matt added it
02/06/08

bookshelves: writing-books
Read in January, 2008
a little touchy-feely for my taste, but there were some good nuggets here.
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Caroline
Caroline rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
07/23/07

Life changing. A must read for any writer. Any genre. Any ambition.
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Marianne
Read in January, 2007
Great advice from a compassionate therapist/writer.
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Roxanne
Roxanne marked it as to-read
06/06/08

bookshelves: to-read
 

Dellastarr
Dellastarr added it
06/25/08

 

Olugbemisola
Olugbemisola rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
06/19/08

 

Susan
10/02/07

Read in October, 2007
 

Bess
Bess rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
04/24/08

Read in August, 2006
 

Eliana
Eliana rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
01/08/08

Read in April, 2008
 

Sarah
Sarah marked it as to-read
01/15/08

bookshelves: to-read
 

Lisa
Lisa is currently reading it
02/06/08

bookshelves: currently-reading, reading-for-writers
 

Mom
Mom rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
07/04/07

 


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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.92 (49 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.93 (42 ratings)
number of reviews: 11






other editions

Writing to Change the World (Paperback)