- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Sidgwick & Jackson; 3 edition (21 April 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0333782038
- ISBN-13: 978-0333782033
- Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 13.6 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 239,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Writing, for Julia Cameron, is neither solely vocational nor avocational: it is a way of life. It comes first thing in the morning, while the horses are waiting to be fed; it happens at the kitchen counter, while the onions are sautéing; it takes place on "dates" at café tables shared with like-minded friends; it unfurls in the mind as the 65 pickup "bucks over the rutted dirt roads like a stiff-legged bronco." The more than 40 brief personal essays that make up The Right to Write are an unyielding affirmation of the writing life and a denigration of all that gets in the way: busy schedules, procrastination, insecurity, lack of writing space, a day job--you get the point. Cameron's common-sense advice is liberating to anyone who has felt hampered by making a big deal out of writing (this "tends to make writing difficult. Keeping writing casual tends to keep it possible"), by not having the time to write ("Get aggressive. Steal time"), or the like. If you can relate to a spirit that compares writing to revelation, prayer and Zen pursuits, that might just attribute misguided communication to Mercury retrograde simpatico, then you will find much to embrace here. And you will never, never again dream of waiting for that commitment-free sabbatical in the south of France to get your writing project under way. --Jane Steinberg
Product Description
Here are techniques to help you make writing a natural, intensely personal part of life.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
This book is such an easygoing introduction to writing; at times its gentle encouragement convinced me to pick up pen and paper and start writing immediately! Julia Cameron treats writing as a pleasurable hobby, not as a serious business. At times, this book was more common sense psychology than writing advice. The writing exercises help focus you on writing from the heart, not for profit. I loved every page in this book and can wholeheartedly recommend it.
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Deals with almost everything a writer will probably have to face from self doubt to blocks through to 'will I ever get published'. Cameron is a very wise and inspirational woman who can call upon many years of successful writing and teaching experience. A wonderful book to have by your side as your embark on your writing projects.
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
The Right to Write has had a dramatic effect on me as a person and a writer. To call it inspirational, as I have done above, is really an understatement. It reaffirms writing as a totally natural human endeavour which is something we forget when we allow ourselves to be bogged down with thoughts about what we 'should' be writing, or the purpose of writing, or what other people think we should be writing, or the outcome of writing (ie publication).
Julia Cameron reminds us that the process is as important as the product. Writing thus becomes a joyful experience rather than a painful or tortured one. For the author, writing is an intrinsic way of of exploring life and what we think and believe. It is a way of digesting our world and of releasing ourselves, of thinking more widely and freely. By the end of the book you will most definitely feel liberated from all your preconceptions and writers block.
For Cameron, letting go of the inner critic and getting into the habit of writing daily, without constantly checking and editing, is a goal we should aim for. It is ingrained in us to censor ourselves, to either find excuses for not starting in the first place, or for over-editing. This manual teaches you how to overcome your fears about facing the blank page. The book is a great self-esteem builder and is like a friend giving you some honest but feelgood advice. In my opinion writing is not simply therapy - it is much more than that. I am afraid that I am incorrigably atheistic, but even I feel that writing can have a deep spiritual dimension.
This is a book about creativity. It is not for those who want to learn the techniques of characterisation, plot, setting, theme etc. It is not in any way like the 'How to Write....' series that abound. It can be used by writers, artists, musicians, almost anybody who has an interest in creativity.
Curiously at the same time as being philosophical it is also of immense practical use. It is organised into short 'essays' on themes and is full of illuminating personal anecdotes and moral stories, without being in any way didactic. Following each essay is an exercise, called an 'initiation tool'. These get you started in a gentle way. For example
- writing a letter from the point of view of your older self to your younger self, giving advice
- making up your own outrageous tabloid story and writing it up
- starting the habit of 3 'Morning Pages' every day
- writing for an hour about your Ideal Life
- writing a list of 100 things that make you happy
It is surprising how these sort of exercises prompt you to enjoy writing for its own sake.
I finish by assuring you that this book with expand you, delight you and teach you. Make sure you buy it.
Julia Cameron reminds us that the process is as important as the product. Writing thus becomes a joyful experience rather than a painful or tortured one. For the author, writing is an intrinsic way of of exploring life and what we think and believe. It is a way of digesting our world and of releasing ourselves, of thinking more widely and freely. By the end of the book you will most definitely feel liberated from all your preconceptions and writers block.
For Cameron, letting go of the inner critic and getting into the habit of writing daily, without constantly checking and editing, is a goal we should aim for. It is ingrained in us to censor ourselves, to either find excuses for not starting in the first place, or for over-editing. This manual teaches you how to overcome your fears about facing the blank page. The book is a great self-esteem builder and is like a friend giving you some honest but feelgood advice. In my opinion writing is not simply therapy - it is much more than that. I am afraid that I am incorrigably atheistic, but even I feel that writing can have a deep spiritual dimension.
This is a book about creativity. It is not for those who want to learn the techniques of characterisation, plot, setting, theme etc. It is not in any way like the 'How to Write....' series that abound. It can be used by writers, artists, musicians, almost anybody who has an interest in creativity.
Curiously at the same time as being philosophical it is also of immense practical use. It is organised into short 'essays' on themes and is full of illuminating personal anecdotes and moral stories, without being in any way didactic. Following each essay is an exercise, called an 'initiation tool'. These get you started in a gentle way. For example
- writing a letter from the point of view of your older self to your younger self, giving advice
- making up your own outrageous tabloid story and writing it up
- starting the habit of 3 'Morning Pages' every day
- writing for an hour about your Ideal Life
- writing a list of 100 things that make you happy
It is surprising how these sort of exercises prompt you to enjoy writing for its own sake.
I finish by assuring you that this book with expand you, delight you and teach you. Make sure you buy it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent little guide to encourage you to write
I really enjoyed using this little book. It set clear little writing projects which really encouraged my creative duties.
Published 11 months ago by Lindessa
The Right to Write; An invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life
Very speedy delivery and really good condition apart from the writing on the back page. I don't mind as it is for me but I would have been embarrassed if it had been a present for... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Neate-Neate
The Right to Write
If you are looking for a step by step guide on how to write an article, a biography, a short story or a novel, this is not your book. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2009 by Mrs. M. Todd
Anyone can do it!
This book shows how anybody can write, how it is something we were meant to do. It walks you through how to do it, when to do it and how it is meant to be enjoyed! Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2009 by Mrs. J. E. Wilks
Effortless creative writing . . .
This is the one book that successfuly re-kindled my passion for writing. Julia Cameron's advice is simple, yet effective . . . Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2009 by Adisha
A great book to getting you going
I have always wanted to write and had the notion that I would do it one day when I had more time. Now I write everyday and am well on my way to becoming a full time... Read more
Published on 13 July 2008 by E. Buckland
Brilliant book - Got me writing and enjoying the process
I have always wanted to write and have always thought that writing was not for me. This book changed all that. I am now writing and writing and writing some more. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2008 by Dan
INSPIRING
Julia Cameron's increasing love affair with words becomes more and more evident as this book progresses. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2007 by J. P. Henderson-Long
saccharine, self-help seminar style
It is quite difficult to write a fair review within the guidelines set out here, but I just want to say that I find the style and central tenet of this book unbearable. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2006 by Damien Flabbensack
A turning point
I can't thank the author enough for writing this book. One by one in my desire to write I have hit most of the obstacles she talks about. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2005 by L. FitzGerald
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