18 books
—
20 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Writing Motherhood: Tapping Into Your Creativity as a Mother and a Writer” as Want to Read:
Writing Motherhood: Tapping Into Your Creativity as a Mother and a Writer
by
Have you always wanted to chronicle your experience of motherhood, but never knew how to begin? Are you looking for an outlet for self-expression, but can't imagine how you could juggle one more thing? In "Writing Motherhood," longtime writing teacher Lisa Garrigues dispels the myth that motherhood is an impediment to creativity. Drawing on her own efforts to balance the d
...more
Hardcover, 319 pages
Published
April 10th 2007
by Scribner Book Company
(first published March 30th 2007)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Writing Motherhood,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Writing Motherhood
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Writing Motherhood: Tapping Into Your Creativity as a Mother and a Writer

This book, for me, is up there with "Gift from the Sea." Let me explain...
I have highlighted, dog-eared, read and re-read so many passages that I am certain this will be a book I revisit over the years. I LOVE the author's notion of keeping a "Mother's Notebook" where you jot down conversation, quotes, expressions, and party ideas ALONG WITH weighing decisions, rehearsing answers, venting anger, and asking questions -- essentially, catching the days of your life notebook after notebook. I read i ...more
I have highlighted, dog-eared, read and re-read so many passages that I am certain this will be a book I revisit over the years. I LOVE the author's notion of keeping a "Mother's Notebook" where you jot down conversation, quotes, expressions, and party ideas ALONG WITH weighing decisions, rehearsing answers, venting anger, and asking questions -- essentially, catching the days of your life notebook after notebook. I read i ...more

This book was a delight as well as a monumental help. I will be keeping this book within quick reach while writing. It's filled with gems. I'm so glad I ran across this one. ...more

I picked this book up because Ali Edwards (www.aliedwards.com) recommended it to help you become a better scrapbook journaler and to "tell your story" as a mother.
I liked the fact that this author didn't assume that simply because I was reading this book, I was going to attempt to become a professional and published author. She simply wants you to record your story. Your story as a mother. Your story of the good and bad with children. Your story of before you were a mother and how you got to th ...more
I liked the fact that this author didn't assume that simply because I was reading this book, I was going to attempt to become a professional and published author. She simply wants you to record your story. Your story as a mother. Your story of the good and bad with children. Your story of before you were a mother and how you got to th ...more

As an inveterate journal, memory and blog keeper - I truly appreciated this book. Throughout the entire book, I kept wishing that I could chat with the author face-to-face. I just KNOW that she'd be a kindred spirit.
She provides wonderful writing prompts and a very convincing case for keeping a Mother's Journal (which I do). I know that I'll refer to this book time and time again.
Highly recommended! ...more
She provides wonderful writing prompts and a very convincing case for keeping a Mother's Journal (which I do). I know that I'll refer to this book time and time again.
Highly recommended! ...more

A little quirk of mine: I judge a book's hold on me by reading the first few lines on the first page. If it captures my attention and makes me want to read more, then I'm sold. (Kind of like "you had me at hello" philosophy applied to books :P)
This book had me at hello, for sure. Given to me by my favorite cousin-now-a-poet for Christmas, it sat on my table together with other "to-read" books. Today I happened to open it, and the very first line I read (in the inner jacket) said
"Have you always ...more
This book had me at hello, for sure. Given to me by my favorite cousin-now-a-poet for Christmas, it sat on my table together with other "to-read" books. Today I happened to open it, and the very first line I read (in the inner jacket) said
"Have you always ...more

This book has a lot of great ideas for writing prompts. I was expecting more practical information about balancing motherhood and a writing life--there was some, just not a lot. But this book would be worth owning for all the great prompts. You would never be able to say "I don't know what to write about!"
If you're looking for a book with more practical advice for moms about launching a writing career, check out Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids. ...more
If you're looking for a book with more practical advice for moms about launching a writing career, check out Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids. ...more

Even though the time between my start and end date for reading this book spans almost 2 years, it did not take me that long to read it. I spent that time purely enjoying each chapter of this book, and not wanting it to end. I picked it up after seeing Ali Edwards recommend it to help document my life story through journaling in scrapbooks. Garrigues gives lots of great suggestions and advice for writing and she makes her daily routine of writing two pages in a Mother's Notebook feel doable. I lo
...more

Had to buy this one. Checked out of the library, flipped through, and decided it was a must buy! $10 at Amazon. If you are at all interested in writing, even just personal writing (like me), this is a must have!!!
OK, so I am not done, but moved it to the done pile. this book sits on my nightstand and I read it almost every night. I've started my Mother's Journal, and love it! If it have even the tiniest interest in writing and/or want to recall the tidbits of being a mother, get this book! :-) ...more
OK, so I am not done, but moved it to the done pile. this book sits on my nightstand and I read it almost every night. I've started my Mother's Journal, and love it! If it have even the tiniest interest in writing and/or want to recall the tidbits of being a mother, get this book! :-) ...more

So many fantastic ideas for preserving the memories of your family while at the same time exploring one's feelings/dreams/expectations of motherhood.
Unlike other books about writing, there's not this underlying assumption that you must want to be a "published writer" if you're reading the book. The purpose is so much more about slowing down and living in the moment. There are wonderful prompts to get you thinking (and writing) about what it means to be a mother (and sister/friend/daughter, too.) ...more
Unlike other books about writing, there's not this underlying assumption that you must want to be a "published writer" if you're reading the book. The purpose is so much more about slowing down and living in the moment. There are wonderful prompts to get you thinking (and writing) about what it means to be a mother (and sister/friend/daughter, too.) ...more

May 05, 2010
Amy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2010,
non-fiction
As someone who is very focused on preserving the memories/stories of my family, I was intrigued by the ideas presented in this book. Particularly as it relates to exploring the feelings and expectations of motherhood. I use my scrapbooking pages to tell our stories, including my own. I will be using some of the prompts and ideas in this book as I continue to do that in our family scrapbooks. Really great resource!

I finally finished this book today...
I really enjoyed it ~ it was very inspirational. When I started it, I decided which notebook would be my "Mother's Notebook". Then I realized that if I read as I wrote, I would never get the book done by the time it was due so I started a list of prompts. I made a goal to write everyday. It hasn't happened. But it will. :) ...more
I really enjoyed it ~ it was very inspirational. When I started it, I decided which notebook would be my "Mother's Notebook". Then I realized that if I read as I wrote, I would never get the book done by the time it was due so I started a list of prompts. I made a goal to write everyday. It hasn't happened. But it will. :) ...more

I have not completed this book. I am reading it front to back but reading it slowly. I like it so far. The author requests that mothers keep a mother's journal that is separate from a regular journal. I'm not sure I am comfortable with that yet. I will come back to this review and give it the appropriate stars I think it deserves.
...more

For my writing friends and for those who want to capture a bit of family life on paper--this book is a reminder that certain habits can help living and writing fit together more seamlessly. Full of great writing advice and even a few ideas for life.
Be warned, it does have a few four-letter words and a handful of more mature themes.
Be warned, it does have a few four-letter words and a handful of more mature themes.

I've had this on my "currently-reading" pile for several months, but it's been slow-going. I was hoping it might add a new dimension to my blogging, but I'm finally putting it aside for now. I do plan to go back to it, when I can give it the time it deserves, but right now I'm not compelled to finish it.
...more

I mostly skimmed this due to lack of time but what I read was good. A lot of writing prompts and tips for documenting your experience as a mother. I liked all the personal stories. This title would be a good addition for any "mommy bloggers" or anyone intending to write a personal memoir on their experience as a mom.
...more

enjoy this book so far - a great tool - wonderfully written - I'm not able to get into the writing with two little monkeys around all the time, so maybe I'll set it down for just a bit ...
didn't finish this book, but I'm still writing - it would be a great read for someone with a first born or pregnant with their first - lots of wonderful information and ideas about documenting life with kids ...more
didn't finish this book, but I'm still writing - it would be a great read for someone with a first born or pregnant with their first - lots of wonderful information and ideas about documenting life with kids ...more

I wish that I'd found this book 4 years ago when I first became a Mother and started my son's journal.
This book is perfect for any Mother that wants write their Children's story in amazing detail.
I'll be so happy to have these details in my journal to remember always. ...more
This book is perfect for any Mother that wants write their Children's story in amazing detail.
I'll be so happy to have these details in my journal to remember always. ...more

I'm teaching at a Life After Baby group next week about the health benefits of journaling, then I am going to take them through some writing exercises on "Journaling Motherhood." This book has been very helpful.
...more

so much wisdom in here, teaching us moms how to tell the stories.

Aug 31, 2009
Zureen
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
all mothers
Recommended to Zureen by:
Mom's Club of Lincoln, RI
Awesome book. I wished I had this book when I was pregnant with both my boys. Every mother should read this.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Related Articles
Across the U.S., many high-school seniors are entering the nail-biting period of waiting for college admissions decisions. While the die has been...
31 likes · 7 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Whatever we learn to do, we learn by actually doing it. People come to be builders, for instance, by building, and harp players by playing the harp. In the same way, by doing just acts, we come to be just. By doing self-controlled acts, we come to be self-controlled, and by doing brave acts, we come to be brave. (ARISTOTLE)”
—
1 likes
“Writing can be a crucial skill, like cartography. Everybody lives in the middle of a landscape. Writing can provide a map. (PHYLLIS THEROUX)”
—
0 likes
More quotes…