Walking on Alligators: A Book of Meditations for Writers

by Susan Shaughnessy

A daily motivator for people who write--and for all those who long to write--providing an insistent wake-up call for the creative urge, with insights on how to work against resistance, live with the loneliness, develop discipline, and dare to take deeper risks in their work.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Inspirational

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 1993

Reviews

[Jeffe Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mentioned this book today on my podcast (https://jeffekennedy.com/first-cup-of...) and that prompted me to pop in here and rate/review it. I picked this up in 1993 when it first came out. I spotted it on a table at my local indie bookstore and, as I was just in the beginning stages of figuring out how to be a writer, it really called to me. I've kept it on my shelf all these years and often come back to it - and all the pages I have marked with colorful stick tabs. A wonderful collection of meaningful quotes from creators of all walks. Highly recommend.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of quotes about writing in the real world that helped me.

Writing is my passion, sure. But sometimes I'm sick of reading quotes that imply writing is easy or simple. It isn't.

Here is one quote that I particularly liked:

“Talent isn’t good enough. In fact, too much talent can stunt good work. We all remember the classmate whose casual excellence at a sport, a subject—maybe at life itself—presaged a life of stumbling. This too-talented person never got the hang of holding on.”

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot emphasize this enough -- writing books, especially the ones done well, are replete with how-to-live-a-good-life wisdom. Even though this book is written with a writer in mind, many of the practices suggested would streamline effortlessly into any goal or ambition one has. It is absolutely an inspiration + reference I will use regularly.

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

well, this should really be on my "currently reading" shelf because i do read it one day at a time. but then it would probably never be marked as "read"!

a super great resource for any kind of writer! it uses quotes from famous authors and then a blurb that expounds on the quote. it really encourages you to be writing every day and not give up!

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I expected. The idea is to read one page a day. Each page has a quote from a famous author or artist, then underneath it Susan Shaughnessy rewords it into encouragement for writing. It seemed like a great idea, but of the first 45 pages, 16 of the entries were about writing when you don't want to. Not even about overcoming uninspiration, just about writers who wallow and complain. As Susan words it, the "counterdrive not to write." I can't believe that writers have one of the best jobs in the world, but many of them don't want to do it. But honestly, if you don't write, you're no longer a writer.

[Heather Baxendale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is wonderful for daily reminders and affirmations, or to pull and randomly read if some inspiration is needed. Sometimes, we all just need permission to write free.

[Kevin Pal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of two hundred quotations, meditations, and affirmations on the writing life and process of writing. Great as a daily starting point or an opportunity to get past writer's block when it hits.

[Jo Reyes-Boitel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is such a favorite book. i keep buying it and giving it away and buying myself another. it serves as a great reminder for daily writing, and for the importance of writing in our lives.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walking on Alligators is a book of inspiration for writers set up like a devotional religious book. On each page, the reader will find a quotation borrowed from a well-known author about the writing process, how difficult it is to begin, perhaps, or where inspiration comes from. Shaughnessy responds with a mini-essay on the author's wisdom. Finally, she offers an intention for the reader to apply. As the book proceeds, the quotations become increasingly deep. Rather than a simple aid to writerly discipline, the book wrestles with issues of identity and soul. If you are meant to write, you'd better get started. Life is short, and why would you deny your dearest, most central hope? I've never been good at committing to a religious devotional, but I hoped this experience would be different. Maybe I expected magic. As it is, I'm glad that I finished the book. I'll move on to other methods of inspiration, like classes and workshops, that do more to propel me to the page.

[Marc Masurovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't like reading books about writing. This one does not have the explicit feel of do's and don'ts as a wannabe writer or early writer. Shaughnessy brings in a heady supply of anecdotes and commentary from a wide range of authors which puts the reader at ease. If the goal was to reassure us that we are not alone and others have their problems getting something on the page every day, it succeeded. The key is "doing it." To use 21st century speak, it's supportive, nurturing and mildly empowering. If anything, it relaxed me.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this book would help me break my writer's block. Unfortunately it id not help much. There are great quotes and pages by a variety of authors on each page, most are complaining about how awful writing s for them. All I could think is, if you hate it that bad, go be a Walmart greeter then. This might be the book for one who wants to read about author gripes. But if like me you were hoping it would encourage and inspire, sorry this doesn't seem to be that book.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I purchased this book years ago I used it as intended, a page a day, motivation, food for thought. When I recently took it off the shelve I found a bookmark about one-third of the way thought the book. This time I read it cover to cover in a week. To summarize the quotes from successful writers and famous achievers and the authors reflection on those quotes: write, write, write, WRITE TODAY, WRITE EVERYDAY!

I will keep this book on a shelve for when I need to be reminded - WRITE.

[Edmund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaughnessy does a credible job of collecting choice quotes and offering her own insightful and inspiring words. I've had this book for years and it really took me too long to delve into it. Now that I have, I will keep it close by when I need the motivation.

[Ecolpip · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read for writers or anyone wanting an inside view of what writers deal with and have to work through to get words written or typed. This book will remain a reference and resource in my library.

[Shannon Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flip to a random page in this book before I sit down to write each morning. I love the ritual of it. I don’t always agree with Shaughnessy’s interpretations of the quotations; they often give me “flow.”

[Jubilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem. One of the best inspirational books on writing you could ever find.

[Christine Ellis-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading for all writer's!

[Cali · Rating 4 out of 5]

These prompts are great to just get you thinking and write without having to wrack your brain. It really helps with writer's block

[Karen Purze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more like a book of affirmations for writers... not something you "read" but I really enjoy flipping to any random page for inspiration before writing.

[Kyra Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost never rate nonfiction and I know it says in the book not to read it all in one go but despite me doing that, this feels like a book I can come back to time and time again for writing advice.

[E.H. Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy light read, great for during stress or edits because you can read a page and put it down.

[Joyce Barrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lifesaver for creatives. Keeps me sane when I'm chipping away at a big writing project. Love the way each entry has a quote to inspire and a really practical suggestion to head you straight back to the page. Never far from my elbow.

[Sitaphul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful companion for any writer trying to establish a daily, or more consistent, writing practice. Each page offers a unique quote by published writers (and can also be used a daily writing/journaling prompt), followed by thoughtful commentary on the aspects of our inner world we struggle with daily when we write. Besides exploring what a profoundly imaginative act writing can be, she reflects upon the aspects of creativity that are equally beyond our control as writers. The one thing she encourages writers to do is to stay connected to the world of a story in a consistent way.

At times, the book feels ableist, I don't know that it gives enough room to a discussion of accessibility, or the host of other structural, physical or mental challenges any writer might be coping with that may not allow them to write every day. The emphasis on writing daily, the idea that "you will lose what you can write today," isn't fair, nor is it true, and might be discouraging for writers who find it difficult to tap into their thinking and creativity every day, or to work for long stretches of time. Marginalized writers often metabolize and reabsorb their own work in their consciousness in ways that serve creativity, but can also feel depleting. Rest is also an essential part of creativity. Still, there are many pages of wisdom and encouragement I continue to return to in this book.

[Kerri Lukasavitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little book packed with great advice for writers. Sometimes the best things come in small packages. Handy, inspirational volume to have on your writing shelf.

[Annemieke Windt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one more book I've bought when I started teaching writing skills. I've become intruiged by the process of people's creativity. Susan Shaughnessy has one message for everyone who wishes to be creative: just set a time limit per day and turn up for the work. Walking on Alligators is not a book that shows techniques, instead it offers small nuggets of wisdom from people who have gone out and wrote. Think of Virginia Wolf, Isaac Baashevis Singer and John Grisham. It even includes a quote from Nick Nolte, who I only knew as an actor.

The quotes are the starting point for a meditation on writing. Getting past the fear of the blank page, continuing to work and maybe the most important message and most difficult message of all: fulfillment only comes when we strive to complete a project. That built our confidence, however shaky that may be. And it's the only way to any form of success.

Walking on Alligators is not just great inspiration for those who wish to write. It's also good for people who wish to live more creatively.

more? www.whattoreadandwhatnot.blogspot.com

[Melanie Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vague af.

[Rita]

"In nearly all the important transactions of live, indeed in all transactions whatever which have relation to the future, we have to tae a leap in the dark....When we are to take any important resolution to adopt a profession to make an offer of marriage, to enter upon a speculation, to write a book - to do anyting, in a word, which involved important conswquences - we have to act for the best, and in nearly every case to act upon very imperfect evidence" - Sir James Fitzjames Stephen
"My mother wanted us to understand that the tragedies of your life one day have the potential to be comic stories the next." - Nora Ephron

[Samella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must for every writer, published or not! The book gives daily mediations and affirmations to help provide you with inspiration and encouragement to continue writing. I read this book almost every day, having read it over several times and each time, I discover new inspiration each time. Most of the time, the page I am reading, pertains to me and just what I need for that day.

[Ann]

A page a day for writers... it is thought provoking. "Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow that talent to the dark place where it leads" Erica Jong followed by "Writing can feel like stepping off into thin air" (p. 5)

[Zhigang Huo · Rating 5 out of 5]

From time to time, I read words, sentences or paragraphs in a meditation over and over again so I could memorize them. I treasure my memories of those over-an-hour commutes with this book in hand.
My inner calling becomes "I will write today". I do think this is an excellent time management book.