Writing Without the Muse: 60 Beginning Exercises for the Creative Writer

by Beth Joselow

The 60 excercises in Writing Without the Muse are designed to help writers get started on, and stick with, whatever they want to write. Many of these exercises are playful, because much creativity comes from play. Others introduce reliable writing habits that can help fuel the writing process. Some are for poets, some for fiction writers, and some for those who want to record the story of their lives. They are meant to be dipped into at will, shuffled around, altered, and shared with a friend. All have been tested in the kitchens (and studies) of students of writing, people of all ages who, like almost all of us, have something special to say. This new and revised edition also contains a brief introduction and responses from student writers.

Beth Baruch Joselow is a creative writing teacher living in Washington, D.C. She is the author of five books of poetry, including Broad Daylight and excontemporary , as well as two critically acclaimed non-fiction books on divorce.

"The aspiring writer or working writer should never again face 'writer's block' after consulting this handbook."- The Small Press Book Review

"Joselow pulls together an interesting mix for stretching both linear- and nonlinear-thinking students. Judicious use of these exercises could disarm defensive or fearful students and structure the approaches of those with unfocused energy."- The Edge City Review

"Beth Joselow is both a rigorous and supportive teacher. She consistently challenges her students and helps them to do their best. I have often benefited from her suggestions in teaching my own classes."-Nan Fry, Associate Professor, The Corcoran School of Art

Genres: Writing

123 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Natasha]

I got this in the thrift store. I thought it would be fun to do a series based on the suggestion, but unfortunately, it fell flat rather fast. It's not a bad book, but it's very much "of its time." Written in the 90s, a lot of the stuff seems like it doesn't quite make as much sense now that the Internet is a thing. And then a lot of suggestions, while maybe original when they were written, have been recycled a few times in the 25 years since then.

[Dana Jerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

55 adult exercises and 5 for kids, all interchangeable. A few typos in the adult examples, but pretty solid advice in the intro for using history and memory as jumping off points. Tension, freewriting and replying to previous writings by oneself or others are also valuable examples to be embraced.

[Lorespar Sparling · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's allright. I think there were a few oroginal exercises here for jump starting the journal.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe there's no such thing as writer's block. Perhaps writer's overload is a better term. This book is wonderful at helping one focus on a single idea to get creative juices flowing again. It's a beautiful thing.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

bought 10/23/2016 FBL

[Elizabeth]

Writing Without the Muse: 50 Beginning Exercises for the Creative Writer (SLP Writer's Guide)
by Beth Joselow