Pocket Muse: Ideas and Inspirations for Writing

by Monica Wood

The Pocket Muse is every writer's key to finding writing inspiration when and where they want it. It includes hundreds of thought-provoking prompts, exercises and illustrations that immediately help them get started writing; overcome writer's block; develop a writing habit; think more creatively; master style, revision and other elements of the craft. The rich variety of exercises will help writers to create entire stories or focus on a single aspect of their writing. It will also encourage them to think about how they write in new and surprising ways. It's truly a unique book, both fun and effective. It will teach, cheer and inspire writers as never before.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Poetry, Crafts, Self Help, Adult

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Monica Wood is the author of four works of fiction, most recently The One-in-a-Million-Boy, which won a 2017 Nautilus Award (Gold) and the 2017 fiction prize from the New England Society in the City of New York. She also is the author of Any Bitter Thing which spent 21 weeks on the American Booksellers Association extended bestseller list and was named a Book Sense Top Ten pick. Her other fiction includes Ernie’s Ark and My Only Story, a finalist for the Kate Chopin Award.

Monica is also the author of When We Were the Kennedys, a memoir of her growing up in Mexico, Maine. The book won the Maine Literary Award for Memoir in 2013, and the Sarton Women's Literary Awards for Memoir in 2012.

Reviews

[Annemieke Windt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My collection of books with prompts on writing started when I taught Writing at the institute I work at. The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood is one of those books and it's one of the most fun books in that department that I own. It's the combination of the design, the variation in prompts, quotes on writing by famous authors and small assignments Woods gives the budding author.

One of the prompts in the books set my off on a small adventure of my own. I read the prompt: ,,Imagine a coat. Imagine the pocket of that coat. Imagine what's in it." I was lying in bed, jumped out and started writing what I saw in my mind's eye. It doesn't matter if it's any good or not. The book braught back to me the joy one can find in the imagination.

The images, the photos and the small prompt can really get you going. Therefore, writing or not, I would recommend this book for anyone who wishes to look at reality with more creativity.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is extremely easy to simply pick up and read cover-to-cover when you feel like it. While I haven't yet used it for the prompts themselves, it's certainly a great way to get you thinking about writing again and perhaps lift you out of any writing funks you may have fallen into. But even for someone who isn't currently seeking inspiration with writing, it definitely provides that little fuzzy feeling. The author makes you feel like you CAN and SHOULD do it. And while some of the prompts do seem a bit basic for what they are, the way the book is laid out and the style it is written in is inspiration in itself.

Definitely worth picking up and flicking through if you have a free hour, or working through steadily if you're in need of inspiration. Lovely book.

[Cornelius · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of books on writing tend to at some point centralize on the author and how awesome he/she is. This book does not do that. Rather, the author keeps it random and just posts random thoughts throughout the book that are for the most part useless.

I highly recommend this book for prospective writers with ADD. That's about it.

[Marie’s Book Boutique · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read full review at mariesbookboutique.wordpress.com/2018...

This little book's front cover reminds me of the old plain note book's you used to get. With the thick black line covering the spine of the book. The rest of the cover is coloured in a darkish green. The title is in what look's like those name tag's on draws you used to get at the library years ago when looking for a book to find its location in the room. Then there is a photo with a guy facing forward holding up a card which has the rest of the title in it. You can see blurred out buildings in the background of the photo. I think books like these need simple covers because they are a reference and a practical book.
The pocket Muse by Monica Wood is a book that I acquired when I took a home creative writing course, I did a few years ago. And what a help it has been since then! It's a book full to the brim with prompts, inspiration, pictures, quotes, tip's and many exercises to really get your creative juices flowing. Monica has compiled this book wonderfully, in a very relaxed and easy to read manner; which is perfect for flicking through and pick out what the writer need's at that time.

For me this little book has given me so much help in my writing and I found the exercises invaluable to really get my creative head on! This little book is one that never far away from me when I'm writing. It's easy just to pick up whenever I find the need for that spark of inspiration. I have also found the illustrations helpful giving me ideas in which to work on and develop.
Would I recommend this book to budding writers? YES I would! It such a useful tool to have by your side!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a published author or someone like me, who writes a lot of fanfiction and the occasional original work, or even just an avid lover of words, this book is a must-own. It's written is such a reader-friendly way - you can feel free to open the book to any page and get some inspiration, but it's also great to read cover-to-cover. It just makes me want to write whenever I read any of it, and that makes it invaluable. Monica Wood's writing advice is compassionate, but real.

[Ryan Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of thoughts and encouragement for writers, as well as various writing prompts. Amongst it all are a varied collection of photographs, which can also serve as writing prompts. I'll revisit this as I need inspiration or a writing prompt.

[Gabrielle Jarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely inspiring book for writers! The suggestions, prompts, and general allowingness to trust in ourselves as writers is a welcome read. The excellent photos themselves are motivating. It will stay on my reading trunk to continue to pick up and read exactly what I need.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of ideas for writing in here.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Wood's first book of ideas and inspirations for writing is filled for prompts, mini-essays, questions, wisdom, and lots of unusual pictures. For writers and creative thinkers at any stage.

[Curt Bobbitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sturdy hardbound, unpaginated collection of ideas for writing has high quality glossy pages. Black-and-white photographs, quotations, fill-in-the-blank ideas, word lists, and explicit advice for revision prompt any kind of creative writing.

[Joseph Carro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monica Wood has put together a mash-up of various writing prompts. Some are photographs, some are questions, some are scenarios and all are aimed at helping you get through your writer’s block or giving you ideas for new stories.

This volume is pretty helpful, as far as these types of books go. There aren’t any page numbers, which can make it hard (if you’re using it in a class or something) to keep track of certain prompts you need or might like.

A lot of the prompts are fun but they seem like they could have been a lot cooler. Some feel more like wasted page space.

You can find many prompts for free online, so the asking price of $20.00 is a bit steep. I got mine for free so I didn’t have to worry about it (I won it) but I can picture a lot of people being turned off by its price. Look for it in used bookstores and in libraries.

The size is nice and fits easily inside any backpack and probably some handbags. Wood has also come out with a second volume, so I may get that at some point.

[garfunkelgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a blog at one point and used this book for a number of poems / short stories. I have since given up on writing and my blog is dead, but I enjoyed the inspiration.

[Mary Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed this little pocket book from the library, along with several other writing books. It sat on my desk, then my bookshelf and finally made its way to my bag where I found it one day during my lunch break. I'm so glad I gave this little book a read. I flipped through the book, marking pages, taking notes, mostly prompted with ideas and scribbling happily in my notebook. It gave me energy. It gave me excitement for words and characters and conflict and the whole pulse of writing that had gone cold under my skin. My writer's vein is pumpin' again, and I owe it all to Monica Wood. I'm planning to use some of her prompts in my Young Writers' Summer Studio, as well as some challenges on my blog in the future. Weeee!writerinspired.wordpress.com

[Suzanne]

Pooh-pooh to the lack of page numbers. Bucking that convention does not promote creativity which is the only reason I can think of for their omission.

What it DOES do is make it a headache when I am trying to locate specific exercises or recommend one to a friend. What should I say? "Do the exercise after novelty chattering teeth picture but before Robbie the Robot?" It's maddening.

Other than that, it's only a mediocre prompt book. Nothing special. Mostly pictures and fluff. And while it is small enough to tuck into my purse I can't imagine wanting to tote it around with me for inspiration.

[jmjester · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this a while ago, but never got around to reading it. I pulled it off my shelf in anticipation of NANOWRIMO, thinking my students and I might need some help throughout the month. We will definitely turn to this book when both our word counts and will power are waning. It's a super quick read with lots of white space and gorgeous, thought-provoking photographs. It's meant to be dipped into with advice on both generating prose and poetry as well as revising it. I can't wait to see how it changes what we create.

[Patti K · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is the kind of thing you own as a writer, so I will probably purchase it someday and use it much more than I did while borrowing it from the library. Lots of writing prompts, suggestions, etc, to help you get going, get unstuck or find a way to look at your writing in another way. I mostly got it from the library because I wanted to know if it would be worth buying. The answer is yes.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have started this book many times, but I have finally read it all the way through. I found myself surprisingly pleased with it. It was both instructive and inspirational. I would recommend it for any writer or would-be writer who wants a little push, or a little pull; Ms. Wood works well in both directions. Some people may find it a little pricey for what it offers, but I got it back when it was $13, rather than the double-sawbuck it currently sells for.

[Aboringtuna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute book, but I doubt that it's worth the asking price. There are certainly cheaper ways to find prompts, and aside from the little quotes and occasional bits of useful advice, it really doesn't offer anything that you can't already find elsewhere.

I suppose that it might make a nice gift, at least.

[Trisha Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

writing prompts are scattered through out the book mingled with advice for writers and topped of with her personal writing and teaching experiences. The useful messages and prompts never exceed the length of a single page so you don't feel weighed by a lecturer. she drops her little gems and then moves on to something else when you turn the page.

[Edna Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to the notation on an inside page, I picked The Pocket Muse up in 2003. It's still one of my favorite books to thumb through when I'm facing a blank page and casting about for some place to start. It's also fun to open a page when in a writing group, pick a topic, and write for fifteen or twenty minutes.

[J.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book full of writing prompts to help writers free their creativity. We once used a few of these in a writers' group of mine, but I didn't find too much use for it on my own and sent it to a friend who needed help with her writing.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really great ideas for both the craft and when to start an idea. Loved the photos, loved her voice, loved her story. I really have this next to me all the time now. I want the second one! Anyone seen it?

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not really a book you sit down and read through but it is full of wonderful prompts and ideas for writers. This is another well used book in my collection. I can't thank my Dad enough for gifting it to me.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read through of this book cover to cover took less than an hour. It serves it's purpose well. I have several small ideas for stories now that I may or may not work on. The point is it was inspiring without being overpowering.

[Debi]

There are only two of these Pocket Muse books....they are amazing! Anyone who writes should get these little pocket sized books. They are full of prompts, pics, and inspiration when you are having writers block. I love them. Debi

[Hairil · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title says; "Ideas and Inspirations for Writing".

This is a nice little book for those (authors, columnists, bloggers, etc.) who often encounter writers' block. Just flip to a page at random, and you've almost immediately got yourself something to think of, and subsequently write about.

[Paul Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring and interesting book for writers of any genre or type, whether it is the amazing images or the advice - both useful and thought-provoking. Cannot recommend this writerly inspiration highly enough.

[Mare S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought a lot of these were helpful and I'm pretty sure the ones I ignored were because I was being lazy and uncreative.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more fun than it is useful. But it is very fun.

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for anyone looking to find their inner muse or any writer who just needs a nudge towards writing the next great epic!!