Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing

by L.L. Barkat

An Annie Dillard-style writing book that follows the writer's life as much as her philosophy about creativity and writing.

Aspiring and accomplished writers will find a place to breathe, in both the memoir-stories and tips that seamlessly address major aspects of creative life—from inspiration to individual voice; from helpful habits, networking and publishing, to reasons we create and write.

Says the first chapter, "There are so many things standing in my way this morning, I can hardly begin. Yet I've heard there are rumors of water. Maybe that is enough." And apparently it is

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Poetry

166 pages, Nook

First published August 28, 2011

About the author

Freelance writer at Edutopia. Former Contributor at The Huffington Post blog. Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry. Poetry has appeared at VQR, Best American Poetry, and on NPR.

Loves tea, chocolate, Neruda, and the golden hour over the Hudson river.

Reviews

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to mark "Rumours of Water: Thoughts on Creativity and Writing" as - have read, am reading and will read. Why? Well, because it's one of my go-to books both for myself and my students. Honest. thought-provoking, and sprinkled with the humour of life that inspires you to believe in the power of creativity. Highly recommended for anyone interested in creativity across all the arts.

[Ashley Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of short essays on the writing life are pure magic. Barkat weaves together lessons on creativity and writing with stories about her daughters as they grow up and encounter the world. The result is an inspiring book that's good for the soul. A great book for mamas or writers---and if you fall in both camps, it's a must read!

[Bitten Andreasen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely read. It’s not about the craft itself but about creativity and the spirit of writing. All weaved into small stories from her family life. Very sweet and a must read for all wannabe writers.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful reflections on ordinary life and writing. Exactly what I needed to read at the time that I read it. I will reread this book many times in the years to come.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. (I read it in one sitting.) This is a book I will read again and come back to over and over.

[Jessica Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware: This isn’t a book about the craft of writing, it’s a book about the mindset of a writer, beautiful and enchanting.

[Jack Swanzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy-going thoughts on family and creativity

[Joy Lenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy memoir and tips on writing, then this book offers both in a way that blends life and art seamlessly. I found the memoir style gently inviting and the helpful hints about writing were ones I could easily assimilate for future use. The author shares her family life and activities, mainly around meals, outings, nature, and the challenges and joys of home schooling.
We witness her nurturing seeds of creativity in her daughters, much as she tends to the plants in her garden plot. They're both watered well; the former with a lot of encouragement and helpful suggestions, and the latter sprinkled with liquid in the usual way.
It was a delightful peek into their lives and loves and learning combined with the creative processes. As a fellow poet, I love her poetic, reflective way of describing things because it evokes the essence of her days and shared empathy in the reader.
My only criticism as such was that it is rather short and it ended way too soon for my liking. And I would have appreciated a bit more detail on the creative process than was given.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend of mine recommended this book to me. It's a publish-as-it's-ordered book, which made me think it was going to come to me as a mimeographed chapbook or something. But it's a regular, good old, bound book. At first, I was put off a bit. The author reflects on her experiences with her children and relates them to writing (I believe she's mainly a poet). Sort of like object lessons for children in the middle of a church service. You bring in some pedestrian object to show the children, such as a glove, and then say, "This glove is like you without the Holy Spirit", or Noah's ark, or whatever malarky you're going to say it's like. But rather than children's object lessons for Jesus, the object lessons are about writing. I got into it a bit more toward the end of the book. I guess a good supplement to Writing in Restaurants or Naomi Goldberg's stuff.

[Deanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author weaves in her wisdom and advice on writing while engaging the reader in her life---especially her life with her girls. She teaches by doing what she is teaching. Is that not the best way to learn? Even if you don't write with same voice as the author, I think anyone who writes will agree with most of her insights and enjoy her creativity in sharing them. I personally enjoyed the stories of her interactions with her girls---the way she teaches them as they live their lives. A book to ponder and put into practice. Go to her website: seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com. After reading a few posts, you'll put this book on you "to read" list.

[Lexanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book. It doesn't "teach" in the way a classroom teacher would expect. Steps and rules and rights and wrongs. As a classroom teacher, I believe we need to break of these confining boxes. We need to read books such as "Rumors of Water" to experience what real writing is and how we can obtain joy from place our words on a page.

L.L. Barkat is a poet and her words inspire. She shares all. It is they way we should write.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the right writing book at the right time. Rumors does not teach you how to write or tell you how to get published. It shows you what it feels like to be a writer in real life, while life events continue to unfold around you. You share the emotion of days when the words come and the days when they don't and the days where every taste of strawberry and smell of manure is possible inspiration. It was enjoyable. It didn't make me work. It accepted me as an imperfect writer.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumors of Water is a gentle book on writing, offering the author's short chapters reflecting on "home educating" her two girls as writers and how these experiences inform the larger creative process and the nature of writing. No hidden mysteries just a book that is simple and enjoyable to read and, in the end, wise.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It's one that's on my re-read lists. Barkat has a way of writing that is just...yes, yes, yes. Some of it may be due to her relationship with poetry. Another part of it may be her thoughts on God, family, and her role as a writer.

[JoDee Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.L. Barkat will stir up your desire for spiritual things. A great read if you are wanting to go deeper with God.

[Luanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman who is a writer and home schools her children writes some lessons on writing and life. Some very good parts, a little bit on the light side for me as far as content goes.

[Khoran]

Recommend for those who are attempting to find their creativity.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review at Englewood Review of Books

http://erb.kingdomnow.org/featured-ru...

[Amy Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful. Poetic. Helpful.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and Deep, though seemingly simple to read. I thoroughly enjoyed each short chapter.

[Jason Panella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely lovely.