The Writer's Life: Insights from The Right to Write

by Julia Cameron

In her groundbreaking book The Right to Write , Julia Cameron dismantled the mythology surrounding the writing life in our culture. Tackling issues such as time, mood, inspiration, and support, she revealed that writing is in fact a natural-and crucial-part of life. Questions of how, when, and why yielded to the virtual tool kit of strategies, tips, and tools she provides in this extremely valuable book. With The Writer's Life , Cameron's pivotal insights and pointers are distilled in a tiny, portable companion that will help readers lead a writer's life more easily, joyfully, and powerfully.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Self Help, Art

104 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2001

About the author

Julia Cameron has been an active artist for more than thirty years, with fifteen books (including bestsellers The Artist's Way, Walking In This World and The Right to Write) and countless television, film, and theater scripts to her credit. Writing since the age of 18, Cameron has a long list of screenplay and teleplay credits to her name, including an episode of Miami Vice, and Elvis and the Beauty Queen, which starred Don Johnson. She was a writer on such movies as Taxi Driver, New York, New York, and The Last Waltz. She wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning independent feature film, God's Will, which premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, and was selected by the London Film Festival, the Munich International Film Festival, and Women in Film Festival, among others. In addition to making film, Cameron has taught film at such diverse places as Chicago Filmmakers, Northwestern University, and Columbia College. Her profound teachings on unlocking creativity and living from the creative center have inspired countless artists to unleash their full potential.

Reviews

[Nadia Nellestein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geweldige inzichten over het schrijverschap en schrijven in het algemeen. Loved it!

[Ilze · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book contains plenty of little reminders to her original The Right to Write, but in mini-form. This means I could pop it into my handbag and read a paragraph or two without losing the thread of an entire book.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is only 100 pages, and each page is, well, an insight into writing. Though I read it in one sitting, I am going to read a page each day, as part of my meditation in the morning.

These insights are a great source of fuel for us writers. If you are in a writing slump, question whether or not you are a writer, think that you're not "legitimate" until you've been published, or any other negative thoughts that you might be thinking, this book is for you.

She talks about how writing is something that moves through us, that we are midwives of words. I love that.

If you're a writer, get this book.

[Kony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tiny booklet is a nudge of encouragement, a glimmer of inspiration, an affirmation of the creativity and divinity that lives in your soul and wants nothing more than to flow through your pen. Each page offers a bite-size reflection on what it is to write, why we all need to do it, and the magic we create when we do so. Accessible, gentle, and nourishing for any writer who experiences doubts and dry spells (i.e. all of us).

It took me so ridiculously long to finish this book that I feel the need to loop back around and read it all over again!

[Trisa Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "morning pages" changed my life!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be a pocket bible for everyone who writes. A liberating way to look at the craft of writing.

[Anaïs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short. sweet. concise. Inspirational. it got me off my fears to write.

[Regina Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such A Motivational Writing Tool

I’m so ready to commit myself to writing at least three pages of whatever comes to my mind on a daily basis.

[John Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply delightfully encouraging; all I needed to continue my memoirs.

[Sandra Barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life" is a limiting descriptor for this book. I've been writing for 17 years, have published two books with a major publisher, have a third on its way, and I'm still learning from Cameron. In the way that most of us never stop wanting information on how to better care for our body, one should keep studying how to care for the creative spirit. It's the kind of book you can keep going back to again and again and get something different out of it each time. When people ask me about writer's block I just save my breath and tell them to read this book and do the exercises. HIGHLY recommended. A keeper on my self.

[GW · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my slow proding forward of continuing my writing habit I've found only a few books that truely inspire me. This was an outstanding example of well placed words in a beautiful work. I on my way thanks to Ms. Cameron's short but poignant suggestions. She is emotionally touching aswell as gifted at techniques of persuasion.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of cool quotes. Very fast read. Don't think I'd read it again though.

[Justin Alcala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight on motivational thoughts to keep you in the writing spirit.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little nuggets to highlight and return to when I'm feeling self-conscious in my writing. Motivating and encouraging.