Courage and Craft: Writing Your Life into Story

by Barbara Abercrombie

This book is for anyone who has always wanted to write about their life, but wondered how to get started, how to keep going, and whether it’s even worth it. Veteran author and teacher Barbara Abercrombie explains how to put the messy details of the typical life into orderly, clear, and meaningful form. In reader-friendly language, she describes how to keep a journal, craft a personal essay, or write a memoir, autobiography, or work of fiction. The book includes lessons to embolden writers and practical guidelines for getting published, as well as a guide explaining how to “get real” with oneself as a writer and with one’s expectations of getting published. Courage and Craft gives a nuts-and-bolts overview of the personal writing genre, exercises to keep the inner critic at bay, inspiration from writers who’ve been there, and practical advice for getting those words on the page and out into the world.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Memoir

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 23, 2009

About the author

Barbara Abercrombie has published 15 books -two novels for adults, books for children, including the award winning picture book, CHARLIE ANDERSON, plus non-fiction books. Her novels have been optioned for films and published in six languages. Her essays, articles and poems have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, and her sixteenth book THE LANGUAGE OF LOSS will be published in November 2020 by New World Library.

She teaches in the Writers' Program at UCLA Extension where she won the Outstanding Teacher award in 1994 and the Distinguished Instructor award in 2010.

Barbara lives in Pasadena and Lake Arrowhead California.

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a want-to-be writer who needs a little push in the right direction or are starting a journey of self knowledge, Courage & Craft is a good place to start. This book advocates regular journaling. I write in my journal on a daily basis. I find that not only do these entries serve as a good historical record of my journey but also get me into the practice of writing. Therefore, when I sit down to actually write, I don't find it quite as intimidating.

In the past few years I've read several books on journaling. In my mind, Courage & Craft is set apart from the rest for a number of reasons. Each portion of information in this book is followed by practical to do exercises. The exercises I found most useful were questions or ideas that got me thinking and wanting to express my opinion which naturally drew in me to begin writing.

I liked that the author's cues interspersed descriptions of everyday things with deeper subjects of the past. I love the notion of self knowledge but frankly trying to find something profound to write each day is rather overwhelming. Just knowing that I can write about an object in the room or what the weather is and still be moving forward in the process is very freeing.

[Sarah Joyce Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courage and Craft is a phenomenal inspirational guide for aspiring writers and experienced writers alike. I have been a closet writer for many years and recently enrolled in an MFA program. I have the same fears many new writers do and this book has really helped to inspire me. Not only does it give fantastic exercises to help spark your creativity, it gives lots of great advice about the writing process. Every time I feel like putting down the pen and quitting, I read a small section and it helps me realize that those fears come from the critic crawling around in my head. I pick up the pen and start writing again – even if it is bad writing. This book has something for everyone regardless of what genre you are interested in. It is also structured in small sections for quick reading. I don’t have a lot of time outside of writing and reading for classes, but I could pick this up and in a few minutes get the inspiration I needed to start my day. Courage and Craft will be a permanent addition to my writing desk so that I can turn to it any time that I need a boost, some advice, or just some suggestions on how to break free from my inner critic.

[Holli B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one of the better reading books that I have come across. Instead of being preachy, I found the advice given by the author to be very beneficial in helping me get into the proper writing headspace. The exercises are helpful and are most useful in contributing to the building of a better writing habit. This is definitely going on my shelf of favorites.

[Shane DM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Courage and Craft by Barbara Abercrombie is suited well for the beginning writer who stands at the crossroads of where to start, and who needs an extra push to get started. It is composed of dozens of short chapters where Abercrombie, who has been a teacher for many years, serves as an avuncular guide. You can feel her passion and her desire to pass it on to the next generation.

At the end of most chapters are assignments that allow the reader to apply the information just learned, such as writing a haiku poem every day, seeking out local writers’ groups, buying a journal, and finding one's muse within the stacks of the library. What could have been improved is the development of Abercrombie’s promise at the beginning that the reader will have written “a well-crafted story of your life” by the end of the book. The book goes in lots of different directions and loses focus on this early premise (a strong reason for my picking up the book). But I still enjoyed it.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite section in this book was on writing Personal Essays. Some good quotes about writing are included at the beginning of each chapter and there are some excellent poems included.
The book was published in 2007, but still has ideas that are timeless.

[Kelly L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read from a reliable writer.

[Antonio Gallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo libro è la prova di come la vita di un uomo, di ogni uomo, è simile a quella di un libro. Tante pagine formano un libro, tanti gioni formano la vita di un uomo. Pagine che si sfogliano al vento del passare dei giorni, giorni che si sfiorano al passare del tempo. Già da quando veniamo al mondo alcune pagine sono scritte: padre, madre, fratelli, sorelle, amici, luoghi, date, giorni. Si tratta soltanto di cominciare a tessere i fili di un racconto che si tende e si distende in maniera orizzontale. E non solo. Ogni elemento della pagina può essere visto in maniera verticale, da dentro di ognuno di noi, spettatori ed attori, parlanti o muti, attenti o distratti, lontani e vicini. Tutti sono là, hanno solo bisogno di essere individuati, portati alla luce, descritti, incontrati e sentiti. Ognuno di essi ha qualcosa da dire, da obiettare, segnalare. Fogli di altre vite che scorrono su altri libri e che comunque si incrociano e si intrecciano con i fogli del nostro libro. Scavare, approfondire, inventare, ecco lo scopo di questo libro che ci dice come fare per lasciare una traccia di noi stessi agli altri. Lasciare traccia, sì perchè ogni uomo è un libro da leggere, scrivere, commentare, lasciare agli altri. Scrivete le pagine della vostra vita, leggete le pagine del libro della vita degli altri. Essi leggeranno le vostre.

[Squirrel Circus · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I am a total junkie when it comes to books about writing, I have become more discerning with every one that I read. This one is an easy read - that's a plus. It also covers the same ground as a lot of other similar books. That's not such a good thing. I didn't really have a standout "Wow! I've never thought about it that way.. " moment while I was reading it. Yes, I've read A LOT of books about writing, but I'm not at all burned out on them. This one just didn't seem to have a fresh viewpoint. Having said that, it's a great intro book, and she mentions MANY of my favorite volumes in a Recommended Reading section at the back: On Writing (Stephen King), Bird by Bird (Anne Lamott), If You Want to Write (Brenda Ueland), and On Writing Well (William Zinser). If you only read one, read one of those...just a suggestion.

[Juli Kinrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend gave this book to me this morning. I devoured it in less than a day. It is chock full of wonderful encouragement for anybody trying to drum up the courage to write. Stuffed with great tips on how to get started. Peppered with terrific little prompts to get you thinking outside the box. Flocked with examples drawn from the author's own writing process, and laced with examples of her students' writing experiences. If all that isn't enough, it is also lovingly basted with quotes from famous writers on the process of writing and the life of words.

An absolute treasure of a book. I must go give the friend who gave the book to me a huge bouquet of roses. And another, metaphorical one to Ms. Abercrombie, as well.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Absolutely loved it. As someone who wants to be a professional writer - and, in particular, a professional writer of personal essays and eventually memoir, this book felt like an incredibly concise textbook in the school of writing about your life. When I finished it, I immediately looked up Ms. Abercrombie and scoured the Web for opportunities to take her classes. She's incredibly smart and, it seems, incredibly supportive of her students and the general community of writers who write about their life. I'm confident I'll read this book again and again in my journey as a writer.

[Jocelynne Broderick]

Decided to skip because it came due at the library and also, I don't want to write a book about my life. I was hoping more for art journal topics, which this book may have had, but I didn't read it so I don't know. :D

[Tanaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, good language, basic concepts but yet I still got a lot out of it. A good read for anyone returning to the page after quite an absence or someone who loves reading and writing and thinks they are ready to really start writing.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still reading this book but love it. I have been using some of the techniques with journal writing and it has helped me to get away from using my journal as a place to bitch and moan and transform that writing space into a time of thoughtful creativity.

[Wendy Kennar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I have read this book several times before, I always find something to take away from another reading. My copy is full of Post-Its and passages that I highlight. Reading one of Barbara's books is the next best thing to attending one of her classes!

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Might be of more use to writers of commercial fiction? Narrator's presence is friendly and helpful, but there is not much new here.

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I regret that I had to rush through this (some other library patron had a hold on it) as it is the type of book to be lingered over and put into practice.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid and inspiring book of support for writers both novice and experienced. Some excellent prompts.