Word of the Day: Transform Your Writing in 15 Minutes a Day

by Marilyn Horowitz

Offering a unique creativity-and-time-management technique, Word of the Day is a practice that assists writers to create at will, write as much as they want, and acquire accurate self-acknowledgement in the process. The practice immediately connects writers with their innate storytelling ability as reflected in their dreams. The techniques synthesize the right and left sides of the brain so that writers can draw upon the entirety of their creative tools, fusing the verbal and visual mind, unleashing structural instincts and creativity, allowing them to dance together. Writers are asked to put a notebook by their bed so they can write first thing in the morning when they wake up and just before bedtime. Studies have shown that our most creative moments happen immediately upon waking and just before falling asleep. Writing adjacent to these moments, even briefly, gives writers access to their unlimited imagination, powerful tools of imagery, and the full scope of their memory.

Genres: Nonfiction

184 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

About the author

Marilyn Horowitz is an award-winning New York University professor, author, producer, and Manhattan-based writing coach, who works with successful novelists, produced screenwriters, and award-winning filmmakers. She has a passion for helping novices get started. Since 1998 she has taught thousands of aspiring screenwriters to complete a feature length screenplay using her method. She completed her tenure as a judge for the Fulbright Scholarship Program for film and media students in 2013. Professor Horowitz is a current member of International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime as well as a judge for the NYWIFT Ravenal Foundation Grant. In 2004 she received the coveted New York University Award for Teaching Excellence.

Professor Horowitz has a created a revolutionary system, The Horowitz System ®, that yields a new, more effective way of writing. She is the author of six books that help the writer learn her trademarked system, including editions for college, high school, and middle school. The college version is a required text at New York University and has been used at the University of California, Long Beach. Two of her books have been used in the Lights, Camera, Literacy! program taught to over 1,000 children in Maryland’s Montgomery County Public School System (a recent recipient of the “Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award” for outstanding scholastic performance). Professor Horowitz writes articles for Script magazine, and she pens a monthly column for MovieOutline.com, an online magazine with 30,000 subscribers. She is featured in Now Write! Screenwriting anthology published by Tarcher/Penguin edited by Sherry Ellis and the 2014 edition of The Expert Success Solution. Marilyn’s upcoming Suspense Thriller, The Book of Zev, will be out in December 2014.

Professor Horowitz has taught more than 100 classes, seminars, and workshops across the country for groups including the Writers Guild of America East, NYWIFT, Philadelphia Writer’s Conference, Script DC, Screenwriters World East, and the Great American PitchFest. In addition, she also hosts periodic writers retreats in Tuscany, Italy.

Professor Horowitz has written several feature-length screenplays. Her production credits include the feature films And Then Came Love (2007), starring Vanessa Williams and distributed by Warner Bros.; Caleb’s Door (2009), distributed by Around the Scenes; Found in Time (2011); Nocturnal Agony (2011); and The One (2011).

Reviews

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short read, it's more of a workbook on the Word A Day Practice, that the author set up. It's easy to read and implement, the practice is quite straightforward. The journal pages will be helpful, especially to beginners in writing. I found the book not very novel or unique, the techniques applied are commonly known to writers. So for seasoned writers stuck in a rut, this won't be too useful. For beginners, it is a good start.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.

[Lesa Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of Word of the Day by Marilyn Horowitz in exchange for an honest review. Whether you are an experienced writer or just beginning your writing journey, Word of the Day is an excellent book that shares an easy writing exercise for those interested in achieving a daily practice. Using her time-tried skills and knowledge, Marilyn shares the daily practice exercises, including blank templates, which enable creativity and encouragement for the dedicated writer.

#WordoftheDay #NetGalley #writers #writingtools #dailywriting

[Lucy Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was (happily) surprised by how straight forward this book was. It has a wonderful simplicity which means you're much more likely to carry out the tasks. I'm only a week in to the 'word of the day' task and I can see how it's helping me to think more creatively. I also really enjoyed the motivational aspect of the book. It's easy to believe that good writers are born, but I like Horowitz's encouragement that you can improve all levels of writing by carrying out exercises which enhance your natural skills.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Word of the Day by Marilyn Horowitz

Word of the Day promises to transform your writing in 15 minutes a day. It is based on a simple yet powerful practice that helps writers tap into their creativity, overcome writer's block, and develop their skills. The author, Marilyn Horowitz, is a successful screenwriter, professor, and coach who has developed a unique method of teaching writing through the use of a single word.

The book is divided into three parts: the first part explains the theory and benefits of the Word of the Day practice, the second part provides 30 exercises to get you started, and the third part offers tips and resources to keep you going. Each exercise consists of choosing a word, writing it in a circle, and clustering around it for two minutes. Then, you write a paragraph, a scene, or a story based on the word and the cluster. The exercises are designed to stimulate your imagination, challenge your assumptions, and expand your vocabulary.

The book is easy to read and follow, and the exercises are fun and engaging. The author provides examples from her own work and from famous writers to illustrate the concepts and techniques. She also shares her insights and advice on various aspects of writing, such as structure, character, dialogue, genre, and style. The book is suitable for writers of all levels and genres, and can be used as a standalone guide or as a supplement to other writing courses or books.

Word of the Day is a book that will inspire you to write more, write better, and write with joy. It is a book that will make you fall in love with writing again.

[Jack Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marilyn Horowitz and Elizabeth Wiseman's WORD OF THE DAY is much more than a how-to book. It is a template for success as a writer. The grace, wisdom, and encouragement of the words contained in this book are inspiring to every aspiring writer. The authors provide a disciplined daily routine for doing what we do best - write. They turn our desires into do-able realities. I, as a writer, have a fertile imagination but admit to lacking the right dosage of discipline. This book provides not only worksheets to carry out the practice of a daily writing routine but fortifies writers with the tools to build self-esteem and self-encouragement. The book does not shame writers into thinking poorly of themselves for overlooking the importance of discipline in the art of writing but offers acknowledgement that each of us could do a lot better in that area of our art. I recommend this book unconditionally. After reading it, you will throw all your time-wasters in the waste basket where they belong. Then, you will passionately adhere to what you do best - write with confidence and creativity.

[Sarah-jane Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Netgalley


Word of the Day by Marilyn Horowitz offers a simple yet powerful practice to transform your writing in just 15 minutes a day. The book provides theory, exercises, and tips to help writers tap into their creativity, overcome writer's block, and develop their skills. Suitable for writers of all levels and genres, this book will inspire you to write more, write better, and write with joy.

[Candace Simar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me of Julie Cameron's THE ARTIST'S WAY in that it suggests daily journaling and mind mapping strategies to improve creative writing. Horowitz adds a new concept of using a random word of the day to delve deeper into the creative process. I found it interesting and will definitely try her exercises. However, I am unhappy that the content of the book is covered in 35 pages. The remainder of the book consists of forms and check-off sheets.

[Catherine Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for writers who struggle to set aside time for their writing. I received a complimentary copy of the book for review and I can see how it is helpful when you have hit writer's block or are struggling to get back in the habit. There is an introduction about how to use the book and why it is useful followed by a journal guide and prompts to inspire your project. If you have a vague idea for a story but don't know how to develop it further, this is the book for you!

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the exercises are simple, practical and repetitive. This would actually be a good way to build a habit and there are worksheets to fill out at the end of the book for the whole 30 days. Most people don't end up writing because they don't have time, but this helps you start using your time.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Ric Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had the opportunity to work with the author directly in her weekly workshops using this very method, and have found it to be a powerful tool for breakthrough. It seems simple, and it is - but the simplicity is deceptive, as it's in the prompts and how they can lead to deeper understanding. I'm looking forward to getting an actual print copy so that I can mark it up like crazy.

[Tina Athaide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great suggestions and techniques that I can use as a writer, but also for teachers to use in the classroom. Giving my students a "word of the day" as a quick write technique, helped built their vocabulary and get their creative juices flowing. Thank you Collective Ink Limited and Net Galley for this ARC.

[Kina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for beginner writers like me. The author set the book up as a Workbook to improve your writing. I love the suggestions given. I'm also thinking of using her guidelines to help my little one with his writing skills. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Crimson Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for an advanced ARC of this book

Reading the beginning advice was useful and I do plan to use some of what I read to practise, I was excepting more information but after a short period of writing the rest was sheets u can print out to use.

I see this being useful for beginners and giving them somewhere to start