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The Happy Writing Book: Discover the Positive Power of Creative Writing
'There are many guides to good writing but none as valuable as this.' Oliver Kamm, author and columnist for The Times
Creative writing can enhance wellbeing, which can enhance creative writing, which can enhance wellbeing ...
Become a better writer with over 100 inspiring prompts, insights and exercises specially devised by an award-winning author and creative writing teacher. Discover how the practice of creative writing – being expressive, exploring ideas, crafting words, shaping stories – can also deepen your appreciation of life.
Creative writing can enhance wellbeing, which can enhance creative writing, which can enhance wellbeing ...
Become a better writer with over 100 inspiring prompts, insights and exercises specially devised by an award-winning author and creative writing teacher. Discover how the practice of creative writing – being expressive, exploring ideas, crafting words, shaping stories – can also deepen your appreciation of life.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2021
14 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Elise Valmorbida
8 books42 followersI grew up Italian in Australia, but a scholarship took me to England. I was smitten by London, and still am. In between the day-jobs, I've been writing fiction and non-fiction for 20+ years. I've been teaching creative writing for almost as long. Heartfelt thanks for reading my work and posting reviews.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 10, 2023
I picked this book up on a whim in my local library and have been pleasantly surprised to find a heap of good suggestions, prompts and reminders. I love how to the focus of this book is not to enable you to write a bestseller (although that may be the case) but to write for the love of it and as a means of improving how we think and communicate.
August 16, 2025
A writing book not just about the craft, but about the process and the emotional journey of writing
In my view, there could never be too many books about writing. There are always new ways of reviewing the basics, new viewpoints to hear, new examples to use. However, this book is not just one more writing book—it’s something completely different. This is the first writing book I’ve come across which addresses the why, not just the how. This is a writing book that outlines not only the craft of writing, but the spiritual/emotional journey involved.
Each chapter is only one or two pages long, and there are 100 of them, 100 ‘parcels of inspiration and provocation’. Chapter headings include “Dream big”, “Put off procrastination”, “Perfect is the enemy of good”, “Make yourself feel”, and (my favourite) “Change the world”. The Further Reading section at the end has headings like “Randomness” and “Listening to silence”.
The HWB addresses not just the method of writing but the process of writing and the psychological journey involved. Why do we want to write? What is holding us back, emotionally? How do we overcome what gets in our way? The chapters often end with a ‘homework’ exercise—again, focussing on provoking creativity, not just on using a particular writing technique.
One could probably assume that anyone reading this book is already writing or starting to write, so some of the advice might be a tad simplistic, but the different approach (process rather than just technique) makes up for it, and the chapters are so short they only take a minute to read. I found it a handy tool reading one or two chapters a day to provide a pep talk before starting my morning’s writing.
The condensation of choice ideas and concepts into the small space makes the chapters almost like little poems. I totally loved the metaphor for creative juices (our writing forays are as one ant’s action, then another’s) as—‘formic pheromones’. The HWB is full of gorgeous new ideas like that.
In my view, there could never be too many books about writing. There are always new ways of reviewing the basics, new viewpoints to hear, new examples to use. However, this book is not just one more writing book—it’s something completely different. This is the first writing book I’ve come across which addresses the why, not just the how. This is a writing book that outlines not only the craft of writing, but the spiritual/emotional journey involved.
Each chapter is only one or two pages long, and there are 100 of them, 100 ‘parcels of inspiration and provocation’. Chapter headings include “Dream big”, “Put off procrastination”, “Perfect is the enemy of good”, “Make yourself feel”, and (my favourite) “Change the world”. The Further Reading section at the end has headings like “Randomness” and “Listening to silence”.
The HWB addresses not just the method of writing but the process of writing and the psychological journey involved. Why do we want to write? What is holding us back, emotionally? How do we overcome what gets in our way? The chapters often end with a ‘homework’ exercise—again, focussing on provoking creativity, not just on using a particular writing technique.
One could probably assume that anyone reading this book is already writing or starting to write, so some of the advice might be a tad simplistic, but the different approach (process rather than just technique) makes up for it, and the chapters are so short they only take a minute to read. I found it a handy tool reading one or two chapters a day to provide a pep talk before starting my morning’s writing.
The condensation of choice ideas and concepts into the small space makes the chapters almost like little poems. I totally loved the metaphor for creative juices (our writing forays are as one ant’s action, then another’s) as—‘formic pheromones’. The HWB is full of gorgeous new ideas like that.
July 3, 2022
Such a generous book that is not only practical but deeply insightful. The unthought of benefits of creative writing were revealed in such beautiful story telling. The parallels in life were so interesting. I loved it and thank you.
July 10, 2023
100 highly digestible ideas and prompts from the wonderfully creative writing teacher-cheerleader Elise Valmorbida. Gathered into tips for how to (and why to) go about Beginnings, Middles, and Ends while staying cheerful, this is a lovely-yet-practical trove for writers of any kind. Some of my favourite mini-chapters include: Chapter 5 Divine Coincidence (Happy Beginnings); Chapter 47 How Not to Fear Plot; Chapter 49 Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Room (Happy Middles); and Chapter 67 Success vs 'Success' (Happy Endings). Plus Elise throws in happy stories about writers and the often uncounted, though immense gifts that stem from applying yourself to this craft plus recommendations for what to read, watch and listen to. All this packaged in a beautifully bound print edition. Love keeping this book on my desk.
May 17, 2022
The Happy Writing Book lives up to its title. It draws you into the subject and it's fun.
Elise Valmorbida has a wonderfully approachable writing style that encourages rather than dictates.
The short, snappy chapters cock a snook at weightier textbooks, making the content all the more thought-provoking and accessible.
Above all, you get the sense Elise is sharing experiences she's been through and challenges she's faced over years as a successful author. The book feels personal, yet hugely informative.
Elise Valmorbida has a wonderfully approachable writing style that encourages rather than dictates.
The short, snappy chapters cock a snook at weightier textbooks, making the content all the more thought-provoking and accessible.
Above all, you get the sense Elise is sharing experiences she's been through and challenges she's faced over years as a successful author. The book feels personal, yet hugely informative.
September 22, 2024
An interesting book, well written, about creative writing. It doesn’t give much tips about how to write in itself, like structure or genre wise, but it’s a great book about how to put yourself in the mindset of writing, how to live it every day even when you are not writing and how others and life around you can support you in your writing endeavours. I appreciate the reference list given at the end as well.
January 21, 2022
Inspiring, uplifting and joyous. Even if you hadn’t intended to write! Replete with axioms that like all good things only seemed obvious once revealed. I read a few chapters over breakfast every morning - a wonderful way to start and invigorate the day with purpose.
January 3, 2024
I’ve been getting the itch to pick up writing again lately and came across this audiobook. I really enjoyed the short bits of advice, some I’ve never heard before. I’ll be purchasing a paperback copy, as well, so that I can highlight particular passages that I found helpful.
December 31, 2021
Certainly one of my favourite guides to good, creative writing. An inspiring way to end 2021.
April 11, 2023
Inspirational and fun to read. Great takeaways for writers.
April 10, 2025
I am not a creative writer in the drive to write a novel etc, but I do maintain a personal diary and enjoy playing with words on a daily basis, hence reading this was not only a delightful book, but offered continual ideas to reflect on throughout.
It encourages you to put your pen to paper and start the process, recognise obstacles and look at how one can write from a multitude of different perspectives.
The book is broken down into a hundred creative reflections and it reads so smoothly and truly is a delight to read. Elise's words are edible!
In fact I finished reading the book feeling two things. Firstly that it would have enormous value to children at school with their writing in whatever context and secondly that I already would like to read it again!
It encourages you to put your pen to paper and start the process, recognise obstacles and look at how one can write from a multitude of different perspectives.
The book is broken down into a hundred creative reflections and it reads so smoothly and truly is a delight to read. Elise's words are edible!
In fact I finished reading the book feeling two things. Firstly that it would have enormous value to children at school with their writing in whatever context and secondly that I already would like to read it again!
August 1, 2023
book written by my writing teacher. bought it on the first day after class, book is 4 stars but her teaching 5.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews