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73rd out of 319 books
—
506 voters
The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear
by
Ralph Keyes
Katherine Anne Porter called courage "the first essential" for a writer. "I have to talk myself into bravery with every sentence," agreed Cynthia Ozick, "sometimes every syllable." E. B. White said he admired anyone who "has the guts to write anything at all."An author who has taught writing for more than thirty years, Ralph Keyes assures readers that anxiety is felt by wr...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
October 1st 2003
by Holt Paperbacks
(first published 1995)
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I read this to tell myself what I already know: everyone who writes gets freaked out about it for various reasons, and you have to do it anyway. In that sense, I'm not sure it did me much good because reading the first half of the book just made me more anxious. The idea is that you read anecdotes about how all these great writers were scared about this and that, so you're reassured... but since I already knew that I just felt anxious reading the anecdotes. Instead of, "I'm not alone," it was, "...more
This is the book to turn to when that little voice inside your head begins to whisper (and then shout if you let it get away with it) "You? A writer?? Who do you think you're kidding??!?!?". This is the book you read when you hear that same vice as you sit down in front of a key board or pick up a pen asking, "What will my family think if they read this?", followed quickly by "What if no one but my family ever reads this?". And lastly, this is the book to read when you think that if what you are...more
According to Ralph Keyes, if you aren’t scared to write, if you aren’t facing demons when you face the blank page (and some call this writer’s block), then you may be:
* kidding yourself
* writing banal, inane, trivial stuff
* not writing at all
E.B. White worried over every word. Margaret Atwood said that you need a kind of physical nerve to write, “the kind you need to walk a log across a river.” Donald Murray talked about his writing students who had nothing to say on the page, because they felt...more
* kidding yourself
* writing banal, inane, trivial stuff
* not writing at all
E.B. White worried over every word. Margaret Atwood said that you need a kind of physical nerve to write, “the kind you need to walk a log across a river.” Donald Murray talked about his writing students who had nothing to say on the page, because they felt...more
While Keys injects a bit of his personal bias as to what constitutes good writing (he's very much of the "transparent" school, and doesn't seem to have much tolerance for postmodern weirdness and experimentation), his overall message is so helpful to the aspiring writer that I'll give the man a pass on the aforementioned editorializing. The Courage To Write discusses something that goes largely, bafflingly undiscussed in the writing community: that writer's block is, more often than not, a produ...more
Certainly a subject worth writing about, but I'm not sure this book did a particularly good job of creating a meaningful message to take away. After chapter upon chapter of depressing anecdotes about how all writers are faced with fears--some neurotic, some legit--the basic idea seemed to be, Writing Is Scary, But Do It Anyway. Which...I'm guessing most readers of this book will already know.
It was also a bit disturbing to see the tendency toward romanticizing artists who are depressed, angry, u...more
It was also a bit disturbing to see the tendency toward romanticizing artists who are depressed, angry, u...more
This book taught me things about the process writers go through in getting their work out in a tangible form; things that I may have took for granted, originally thought about differently, or didn't even know about at all. I would dare to say that this book even taught me things I didn't know about myself! I could easily relate to all of the fears, worries, and stresses the author mentioned, for I too have experienced these fears that writers face -- fears that most readers would never even thin...more
Writers will read any number of books about the craft, whether part of a college program or on their own. There are so many books about writing (from nuts and bolts of language and structure to the emotional connections that we all struggle to make/maintain) that it is often difficult to find the right book for you and what you need.
I pay little attention to reviews of books about writing because we all get something different from them. I have read poor reviews about "The Courage to Write" and...more
I pay little attention to reviews of books about writing because we all get something different from them. I have read poor reviews about "The Courage to Write" and...more
I took the book, "The Courage to Write," with me on a 9-day vacation to Belize. One of the sections I highlighted: "Writing is both frightening and exhilarating...the best writers exploit fear's energy to billow the sails of their imaginations. They convert anxiety to enthusiasm and an unparalled source of energy." Interesting. I find that when I sit down to write, I AM afraid that what I'll write isn't that good, but then when I "get into it" I find that I DO get a flow of positive anxiety. I a...more
I thought I'd read this in college, but if I did, I retained none of it. Maybe I just needed to wait for the right time to read it. I read this book right after I read Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, and the combination was just what I needed to get me to start writing again (other than reviews on Goodreads, comments on Facebook, and nightly journal entries). I found it so encouraging to read about the writing habits and motivations of other writers. When I took up my notebook to start writing last...more
I was hoping for something big that I could relate to in this one. Some little gem of insight that would resonate with me and provide me some sort of tool to break through my own times of writerly frustration. I suppose pretty predictably, that "a-ha moment" never came. But maybe that's because I've read several books on writing and have kind of heard all of this before. What I take away is this: read less books on writing and do more actual writing instead. Still, it was interesting to hear dif...more
This started as an easy read, with me nodding along, and going "huh, that's /exactly/ it", then it started to poke into my head and began to dig deep whispering hard questions that I'm still trying to come to grips with, and before I knew it, I'd finished the book-- the second "writing" book I've ever managed to finish so far, and I have shelves full of 'em.
Anyone who has struggled to write, wondered why they subject themselves to the madness, and yet kept coming back as if unable to stop needs...more
Anyone who has struggled to write, wondered why they subject themselves to the madness, and yet kept coming back as if unable to stop needs...more
Keyes separates this highly approachable and entertaining book into two sections. The first, "The Elements of Courage," examines the many sources of fear for writers and ways fear can manifest itself in the writing process. Causes range from the well-known fears of revealing family secrets, receiving terrible reviews or accidentally publishing mistakes. Some of these fears and their expressions are more surprising, though. For instance, the constant procrastination so many writers experience mig...more
I think this is now my favorite book on writing. Ralph Keyes sure tapped into MY fears as a writer. It was very empowering to learn that yes, other writers, even famous authors, feel the same way I do. He shows writers how to capitalize on anxiety rather than buckling under and giving up. The book has given me courage to push through the fear I'm facing on my current project. I recommend THE COURAGE TO WRITE to anyone who is a writer, wants to be a writer, or wonders what it is that makes writer...more
This book is more inspiration than instruction. It doesn't really tell you how to face your fears and get the courage to write. It's more of a validation of the feelings that almost all writers have when faced with the prospect of writing. It took me a while to read it because I kept getting sidetracked by other books I wanted to read more. In the end I was glad I read it because it helped me to understand where my fears come from and that I am not alone.
Keyes had the audacity to put in print every single excuse I've come up with for not writing (and a few I'd not thought of.)
I don't remember when my joy of writing for the sheer pleasure of it was overshadowed by a number of fears and/or excuses. I just know that reading about well-known, established, and talented authors who struggle with the same thing was heartening. That "I'm not alone in this" thing. (Ironic, since writers tend to be solitary creatures by nature more often than not anyway.)...more
I don't remember when my joy of writing for the sheer pleasure of it was overshadowed by a number of fears and/or excuses. I just know that reading about well-known, established, and talented authors who struggle with the same thing was heartening. That "I'm not alone in this" thing. (Ironic, since writers tend to be solitary creatures by nature more often than not anyway.)...more
This is one of the best books on writing I have ever read and I have read a ton of them. It did not use the less-than-helpful "just do it" approach. Ralph Keyes discussed the struggle with fear that so many prominent writers have endured. He delved into the roots of these fears and methods to deal with them. This book helped me especially by pointing out that the fears will not be overcome, just managed.
This is one of the top 10 writers' books I have ever had the pleasure to read. This book deals with the fear that all writers have of putting themselves "out there", and our natural reticence to do so. By using examples of famous authors Ralph Keyes gives us their hands to hold throughout the process. I know this is a book I will reread many times.
Most interesting. I didn't realize how "peculiar" we writers are! Ha! Keyes does a great job of tapping into the motivations of writers, and why pouring our hearts into fiction reveals our deepest held secrets. He reveals the reasons why most people never finish that Great American Novel ... and it doesn't have to do with self-discipline. Hmm ... :)
This is the second time I've read "The Courage to Write" and each time it has proven to be a balm to my torn writer's soul. Keyes provides plenty of examples of well-known writers who have experienced the same paralyzing fear of writing that I have -- a fear that, due to writings' solitary nature, is too easily personalized and not discussed. Knowing I am not alone with that fear is comforting.
The only catch with Keyes' book is there isn't a lot of advice about overcoming that fear. Keyes does d...more
The only catch with Keyes' book is there isn't a lot of advice about overcoming that fear. Keyes does d...more
Keyes writes on how writers can successfully face their fears just like every writer faces. The book is divided into two sections: 1) elements of courage and 2) coming to terms with fear. It is comforting to know that many well known writers struggle with the same issues, and overcame the challenge. Great little book packed with wisdom.
An excellent book, direct and honest and funny and engaging, that reminded me why I write and encouraged me, while acknowledging the many realistic fears writers have (as well as the costs if we choose not to write). I'll probably buy this for re-reading. Enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend to any writer.
I really liked this book. I thought it was going to be some hippy thing about how "brave" writers are for being special snowflakes but it's actually a psychological, scientific and historical perspective on why writers experience fear and how some combat it. Very matter of fact, interesting and easy reading.
Enjoyable--in a way. I got a lot out of it and enjoyed reading it, but it left me with mixed feelings about my recent productivity and my feelings on this whole "writing" thing. I guess that's a good sign for a book like this, though.
And it does seem to have made me more productive.
And it does seem to have made me more productive.
The best book I've read on writing. It ignores the unimportant stuff and cuts to the heart of what blocks writers: fear, anxiety, and apprehension. A must read for any writer looking for encouragement.
Has to be one of the worst book that I was ever forced to read. It was foreced reading for school. Even though I had to read it, I would say that it was still really bad if you pick it up on your own.
A thoughtful, compassionate book about the writing process. One of my favorites of the touchy-feely writing books. Bonus: The chapter title, "Should You Write in the Nude?" always makes me smile.
I found this had good information, but was ultra repetitive. It focused too much on broad generalizations of how writers act, and less on tools to overcome fear.
i love ralph keyes - he must have been a therapist or mystic in another life. my only complaint is the chapter on writers' groups.
Really gets to the heart of the matter as to why writing can be so terrifying ... and ways this fear can be overcome.
Oct 14, 2009
lee lee
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
scared kittens/writers
Recommended to lee lee by:
i think my mom bought this for me for a christmas present one ye
Shelves:
memoir,
on-writing
um, this is an okay book. hee hee. no, really. for anyone struggling to remember why it is they're writing and/or to discover what's keeping them from writing (i.e. dealing with anxiety/fear), pick up a copy of this book. keyes does a great job of breaking down our fear so we can examine it piece by piece. hey, i just realized that's a metaphor for editing. how metatextual of me! i have nothing worth to say in this review: can you tell? um, i use this in my memoir class to talk about all of the...more
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Ralph Keyes is an author, speaker and teacher. His 15 books deal with topics ranging from time pressure to human height. Keyes’s bestseller Is There Life After High School? was made into a Broadway musical that is still produced in this country and abroad. Since being published in 1995 his book The Courage to Write has become a standard work among aspiring writers in particular.
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“...wrote Lawrence Block. "Someone once told me that fear and courage are like lightning and thunder; they both start out at the same time, but the fear travels faster and arrives sooner. If we just wait a moment, the requisite courage will be along shortly." (quoted from Write for Your Live by Lawrence Block)”
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“Willa Cather said that she write best when she stopped trying to write and began simply to remember.”
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