Write Your Heart Out: Exploring & Expressing What Matters to You

by Rebecca McClanahan

Write Your Heart Out explores how to turn personal experiences, ideas and emotions into stories, essays, poems and memoirs. In a clear, insightful voice, Rebecca McClanahan teaches readers how to mine and shape personal material, urging them to write deeply, honestly and imaginatively about the most important people, events and emotions in their lives. She emphasizes the importance of personal writing as both catharsis and discovery, addressing such topics * Writing about the past
* Writing about, and from, strong emotions
* Writing to communicate with family and friends
* Writing about work, goals and interests Moving from the private to the public, the book's structure is formulated to guide readers in writing personal, heartfelt works that can, if so desired, culminate in publication.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

214 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a combination of writing exercises and prompts, direct instruction, examples from published and unpublished texts, and personal reflections on the writing process. It is appropriate for both beginning and experienced writers. The early sections of the book are concerned with discovering authentic subjects, writing with honesty and authority, and developing the habits of a writer. As the book moves on, McClanahan discusses writing as a method for navigating challenging life passages, recording memories, expressing emotion, building community, and transforming personal experiences through the imagination.

[Cheryl Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book for writers by Rebecca McClanahan. (Loved her book Word Painting too.) New as well as seasoned writers can find inspiration and great ideas in this book. Also her writing itself provides so many great examples of excellence in the writing craft. As a result of reading this book, I've already started yet another journal. Her idea was just too hard to resist even though I've already got too many journal projects going on :) Highly recommended to all writers and to those interested in writing in any way.

[Annette Gendler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about the writing process. McClanahan was one of my MFA teachers and it was good to keep her sage voice in my head for a little longer while reading this book. Even though I have made a writing life for myself already, and some of this book is geared towards people who are trying to find out what the writing life is and whether it is for them, I always find it inspiring to hear other writers' experiences and insights. And that is especially true with someone like McClanahan who is ever so practical.

[Ann Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

encouragement in book form! i keep this book on my writing desk.

[Melba Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book simply reaffirmed what I kind of already new. Good stories come from the heart. My favorite chapter was The Power of letters. One of my complaints these days is that no one writes letters anymore. There a few movements to get back to the art of letter writing. I have kept all the letters my husband wrote me. I have some letters from my mother and sister that I cherish more each day now that they are gone. The book offers many tips and it is just soothe reading.

[Fayette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Side by side, I would choose Anne Lamott's writing books over this one. But it was still a good reminder that writing is a discipline (of the heart) and it won't happen unless we keep at it.

[Eric Beaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! One of the best books on writing I've read to date. McClanahan really gives you an inside view of the writers heart and guides you on how to let your own heart come through in your own writing.

I would say this is a must read for any would-be writer. This is one I can see myself reading again if I fall slack in my own writing. Touching stories of writers who have overcome losses of loved ones, dealt with terminal diseases, and even broken relationships. You owe it to yourself to check out "Write Your Heart Out."

[Laura Gilfillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ideas to guide and motivate you through your writing journey. There was an interesting idea for journaling: make lists, in different categories maybe, like things that give you joy, or maybe hateful things, elegant things, green things, bright things, etc. Lists could get detailed, including sights, smells, textures, etc.

[Verna · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is wonderful advice here for writers of both poetry and prose. This is my favorite book about writing. I loved the reasons why we write that were included in the introduction, and I agreed with all of them.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some suggested lists from this book that are helpful for story ideas. Ideas on how to find the ideas that you feel strongest about, to write about.

[Pat W Coffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for generating ideas or adding to stories to a biography or an autobiography.

[Sylvia Hester · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't give me a lot of information that I was looking for.

[Nane Quartay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute gem. Highly recommended to any writer int he pursuit of resonance in their story.

[Dawn Paoletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for writing inspiration? Look no further. A hidden gem that will lead you well.