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Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul: Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Writers
Being a writer can be a lonely and frustrating experience. The stories in this book-by a wide range of professional writers, novelists, journalists, freelancers, poets and screenwriters-will give readers insight into the human trials, tribulations and triumphs of writers, and writers a source of inspiration and commiseration.
Whether readers are beginning writers, seasoned pros or wannabes, the stories of purpose, passion, endurance and success contained in Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul will inform, entertain, uplift and inspire them. In its pages, they will learn important lessons on: the importance of perseverance, the value of being yourself, the process of discovering your own voice, the need for mentors and allies, and the power of following your heartfelt dreams. Contributors include: Sue Grafton, Steve Allen, Dave Barry, Agatha Christie, Art Linkletter, Terry McMillan, and more.
406 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
53 people are currently reading
1035 people want to read
About the author
Jack Canfield
1,286 books1,751 followersJack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
February 15, 2017
I loved this book so much that I've just bought a second-hand print copy even though I've already read the 400+ pages on Kindle. I knew it would be a book I'd want to revisit.
As the title suggests, this book contains 100 true stories to inspire writers. There are a few big names (e.g. Sue Grafton from the alphabet murder series, Alex Haley from Roots fame). As the authors' names didn't appear until the end of each story, however, there were many surprises. I'd be reading along with someone's struggles, thinking he/she was an ordinary person like me, and then discover that they'd written the screenplay for 'Sleepless in Seattle' eight years after their off-Broadway play flopped, or that they'd written 'The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman' based on experiences they'd had as a child. But I suppose that's the point. Writers are ordinary people who persevere. I was inspired by almost every story in this book, regardless of whether it was about a blockbuster author or a stay-at-home Mum who wrote magazine articles.
The stories are divided into 10 topical sections, so you can always skip ahead to ones you're particularly interested in (i.e. How I became a writer; Living your dream; Defining moments; Finding your voice; Mentors; Making a difference; Overcoming obstacles; A writer's life; The power of perseverance; and Insights and Lessons).
If your writing needs a spurt, you can't go past this book for inspiration. One to dip into again and again.
As the title suggests, this book contains 100 true stories to inspire writers. There are a few big names (e.g. Sue Grafton from the alphabet murder series, Alex Haley from Roots fame). As the authors' names didn't appear until the end of each story, however, there were many surprises. I'd be reading along with someone's struggles, thinking he/she was an ordinary person like me, and then discover that they'd written the screenplay for 'Sleepless in Seattle' eight years after their off-Broadway play flopped, or that they'd written 'The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman' based on experiences they'd had as a child. But I suppose that's the point. Writers are ordinary people who persevere. I was inspired by almost every story in this book, regardless of whether it was about a blockbuster author or a stay-at-home Mum who wrote magazine articles.
The stories are divided into 10 topical sections, so you can always skip ahead to ones you're particularly interested in (i.e. How I became a writer; Living your dream; Defining moments; Finding your voice; Mentors; Making a difference; Overcoming obstacles; A writer's life; The power of perseverance; and Insights and Lessons).
If your writing needs a spurt, you can't go past this book for inspiration. One to dip into again and again.
September 20, 2014
Sometimes this series seems wussy but this particular book is absolutely great. You get to read about authors during their struggling years and times of doubt, and, it's all across the board in writer types.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
December 17, 2019
You will get all the flavors of inspiration in this book. I took so much time to read this book because i was completely relating myself with the book. This book contain each and every type of failure and success, love and sadness, ups and downs in it. Must read once in your life.
May 17, 2018
If you are unfamiliar with the Chicken Soup series, the idea is that a bunch of different short stories about a bunch of different topics fitting under one larger topic (i.e. writing, being a teenager, cats and dogs...) to encourage a specific audience. (teenagers, singles, cat and dog lovers) To be fair, if I were to rate all of the individual stories I would give a lot of four star ratings and a handful of fives which I reserve for the very best writing. They were encouraging and led to some major takeaways on the craft of writing and what writers do.
- Writer's write. They don't talk about writing, dream about writing, even read. They write.
- Stories are everywhere. You don't have to look that far to find a story. Anything deserves to be written about.
But my complaints about this book are simply:
- It's 385 pages of 3-6 page stories. Once you've read three or four of them you've read them all, and so, even though the majority of them were great by themselves, reading this book at one time was painful. Splitting it up and reading it when you need some inspiration would be better, but as I read it to work on getting my page count for school that was not an option.
- There was way too much "feel good." They bring in all the elite authors to write these stories, and the result is, "yeah I got rejected but if you just keep at it you'll publish nine hundred thousand books and everyone will love you." Writing, as well as life, is simply not that easy, and the "work hard and you'll succeed line," frustrates me. I know success is impossible without hard work, but hard work doesn't actually GUARANTEE success.
- Writer's write. They don't talk about writing, dream about writing, even read. They write.
- Stories are everywhere. You don't have to look that far to find a story. Anything deserves to be written about.
But my complaints about this book are simply:
- It's 385 pages of 3-6 page stories. Once you've read three or four of them you've read them all, and so, even though the majority of them were great by themselves, reading this book at one time was painful. Splitting it up and reading it when you need some inspiration would be better, but as I read it to work on getting my page count for school that was not an option.
- There was way too much "feel good." They bring in all the elite authors to write these stories, and the result is, "yeah I got rejected but if you just keep at it you'll publish nine hundred thousand books and everyone will love you." Writing, as well as life, is simply not that easy, and the "work hard and you'll succeed line," frustrates me. I know success is impossible without hard work, but hard work doesn't actually GUARANTEE success.
November 14, 2008
Alih Bahasa : Rina Buntaran
Ilustrasi dan desain cover : Yasmine Hadibroto
Hak cipta terjemahan bahasa Indonesia : Penerbit PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Diterbitkan pertama kali oleh : Penerbit PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2007
Tulisan Anda kerap ditolak penerbit atau media massa ? Anda kurang yakin, kalau menulis bisa menjadi gantungan hidup Anda dalam mencari nafkah. Atau ilham dan gairah menulis tidak ada, padahal tulisan sudah setengah jadi, atau berhenti ditengah jalan tanpa mampu melakukan apa-apa. Jangan khawatir, para penulis terkenal juga mengalami seperti hal itu. Namun mereka tetap gigih menulis.
Seperti yang diuraikan dalam buku Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul yang ditulis oleh Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, dan Bud Gardner. Buku ini menyajikan kisah nyata dari para penulis terkenal seperti Richard Paul Evans, Alex Haley, Dan Poynter, Terri Fields, Phillips Barry Osborne, Catherine Lanigan dan lainnya.
Menurut Terry McMillan menulis telah menjadi caranya untuk menanggapi dan menghadapi hal-hal yang terlalu menekan, mengganggu, atau menyakitkan untuk ditangani dengan cara lain. Menulis adalah tempat perlindungannya untuk menemukan kebenaran dan yang paling penting menulis membuatnya berbela rasa, berbagi dengan semau orang. Menulis adalah satu-satunya cara Terry menjadi dirinya sendiri dengan tidak merasa dihakimi. Bahkan dengan menulis, Terry bisa melakukan hal-hal yang emoh dilakukannya dan tentang orang-orang yang tidak disukainya.
Hampir senada dengan Terry, Richard Paul Evans, penulis buku best seller The Christmas Box, menulis cerita itu sebagai ungkapan cinta kepada kedua putrinya, Jenna dan Allison. Merasa cerita itu perlu dibagi dengan orang lain, ia pun membuatkan salinannya dan membagikannya sebagai hadiah natal bagi keluarga dan teman-temannya. Ternyata, cerita tersebut membawa berkah baginya. Karena banyak orang yang merasa tersembuhkan dengan cerita itu. Namun ketika ditawarkan kepada penerbit, bukunya itu ditolak, sehingga ia dan istrinya memutuskan untuk menerbitkan sendiri.
Ternyata, menerbitkan sendiri pun butuh pengorbanan besar. Richard harus rela melepaskan pekerjaannya, kehilangan uang yang telah ditanamkannya sebagai modal, dan jungkir balik dalam mempromosikan buku itu. Terkait dalam hal promosi, Evans merasa bahwa hal inilah yang paling sulit, karena butuh pengorbanan yang besar apalagi jika buku itu adalah buku pertama. Namun itu tidak membuatnya putus asa. Apalagi ia merasa dan yang paling penting dicamkan bagi para penulis pemula, buku itu ditulis bukan sekedar mencari uang dan popularitas, tetapi karena merupakan hal yang benar dilakukan. Usaha keras Evans membuahkan hasil. The Christmas Box telah terjual lebih dari tujuh juta eksemplar, diterbitkan dalam delapan belas bahasa dan difilmkan.
Bagi Anda yang selama ini hanya bermimpi atau mengangankan diri menjadi seorang penulis, sebaiknya mulailah secepatnya menulis. Karena seperti yang dialami Gene Perret, karcis masuk ke dunia khayal itu, tak pernah gratis. Harga yang harus dibayar adalah menjalani proses. Sebagaimana saat ia memutuskan menjadi penulis komedi, ia pun mempelajari Bob Hope, tokoh komedian terkenal. Merekam monolog televisinya dan mengetikkannya kembali, untuk dianilisis kata per kata, iramanya, dan penyampaiannya saat pertunjukan. Kemudian, dengan gaya yang dipelajarinya itu, ia mencoba menulis lelucon-lelucon baru. Dan teknik ini berhasil.
Bahkan Bob Hope, yang menjadi mentor bayangannya, meminta Perret untuk menuliskan lelucon baginya yang digunakan di tayangan televisi. Menurut Gene Perret, dua pelajaran berharga yang bisa dipetik dari pengalamannya untuk dijadikan ilham para penulis adalah untuk mewujudkan impian dibutuhkan usaha dan menjalani proses mencapai tujuan kita itu.
Lalu apakah semua penulis yang sudah matang, tidak pernah merasakan karyanya ditolak ? Connie Shelton contohnya. Penulis novel misteri Obsessions Can Be Murder, masih sering merasakan penolakan dari penerbit atas karya-karyanya. Meski surat penolakan tersebut ditulis dengan "sopan", namun tidak urung membuatnya frustasi. Ia pun belajar kepada penulis yang sudah lebih dulu terkenal, dengan cara mengirimkan tulisannya dan siap menerima kritik yang mereka lontarkan. Ia juga tak bosan membaca buku-buku, yang memberikan informasi untuk memperbaiki tulisannya.
Masih banyak lagi cerita-cerita dari para penulis yang menarik untuk disimak, karena kita bisa menemukan semangat menulis dan bagaimana menulis yang baik untuk menghasilkan karya yang menarik, bisa dipahami para pembaca, sehingga pesan yang ingin disampaikan melalui tulisan tersebut tercapai. Namun sayangnya buku ini tidak memuat cerita-cerita dari para penulis terkenal yang namanya familiar di Indonesia, seperti Sidney Sheldon, Agatha Christie, Stephen King, John Grisham, Dan Brown, Franz Kafka, dan lain-lain.
Ilustrasi dan desain cover : Yasmine Hadibroto
Hak cipta terjemahan bahasa Indonesia : Penerbit PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Diterbitkan pertama kali oleh : Penerbit PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2007
Tulisan Anda kerap ditolak penerbit atau media massa ? Anda kurang yakin, kalau menulis bisa menjadi gantungan hidup Anda dalam mencari nafkah. Atau ilham dan gairah menulis tidak ada, padahal tulisan sudah setengah jadi, atau berhenti ditengah jalan tanpa mampu melakukan apa-apa. Jangan khawatir, para penulis terkenal juga mengalami seperti hal itu. Namun mereka tetap gigih menulis.
Seperti yang diuraikan dalam buku Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul yang ditulis oleh Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, dan Bud Gardner. Buku ini menyajikan kisah nyata dari para penulis terkenal seperti Richard Paul Evans, Alex Haley, Dan Poynter, Terri Fields, Phillips Barry Osborne, Catherine Lanigan dan lainnya.
Menurut Terry McMillan menulis telah menjadi caranya untuk menanggapi dan menghadapi hal-hal yang terlalu menekan, mengganggu, atau menyakitkan untuk ditangani dengan cara lain. Menulis adalah tempat perlindungannya untuk menemukan kebenaran dan yang paling penting menulis membuatnya berbela rasa, berbagi dengan semau orang. Menulis adalah satu-satunya cara Terry menjadi dirinya sendiri dengan tidak merasa dihakimi. Bahkan dengan menulis, Terry bisa melakukan hal-hal yang emoh dilakukannya dan tentang orang-orang yang tidak disukainya.
Hampir senada dengan Terry, Richard Paul Evans, penulis buku best seller The Christmas Box, menulis cerita itu sebagai ungkapan cinta kepada kedua putrinya, Jenna dan Allison. Merasa cerita itu perlu dibagi dengan orang lain, ia pun membuatkan salinannya dan membagikannya sebagai hadiah natal bagi keluarga dan teman-temannya. Ternyata, cerita tersebut membawa berkah baginya. Karena banyak orang yang merasa tersembuhkan dengan cerita itu. Namun ketika ditawarkan kepada penerbit, bukunya itu ditolak, sehingga ia dan istrinya memutuskan untuk menerbitkan sendiri.
Ternyata, menerbitkan sendiri pun butuh pengorbanan besar. Richard harus rela melepaskan pekerjaannya, kehilangan uang yang telah ditanamkannya sebagai modal, dan jungkir balik dalam mempromosikan buku itu. Terkait dalam hal promosi, Evans merasa bahwa hal inilah yang paling sulit, karena butuh pengorbanan yang besar apalagi jika buku itu adalah buku pertama. Namun itu tidak membuatnya putus asa. Apalagi ia merasa dan yang paling penting dicamkan bagi para penulis pemula, buku itu ditulis bukan sekedar mencari uang dan popularitas, tetapi karena merupakan hal yang benar dilakukan. Usaha keras Evans membuahkan hasil. The Christmas Box telah terjual lebih dari tujuh juta eksemplar, diterbitkan dalam delapan belas bahasa dan difilmkan.
Bagi Anda yang selama ini hanya bermimpi atau mengangankan diri menjadi seorang penulis, sebaiknya mulailah secepatnya menulis. Karena seperti yang dialami Gene Perret, karcis masuk ke dunia khayal itu, tak pernah gratis. Harga yang harus dibayar adalah menjalani proses. Sebagaimana saat ia memutuskan menjadi penulis komedi, ia pun mempelajari Bob Hope, tokoh komedian terkenal. Merekam monolog televisinya dan mengetikkannya kembali, untuk dianilisis kata per kata, iramanya, dan penyampaiannya saat pertunjukan. Kemudian, dengan gaya yang dipelajarinya itu, ia mencoba menulis lelucon-lelucon baru. Dan teknik ini berhasil.
Bahkan Bob Hope, yang menjadi mentor bayangannya, meminta Perret untuk menuliskan lelucon baginya yang digunakan di tayangan televisi. Menurut Gene Perret, dua pelajaran berharga yang bisa dipetik dari pengalamannya untuk dijadikan ilham para penulis adalah untuk mewujudkan impian dibutuhkan usaha dan menjalani proses mencapai tujuan kita itu.
Lalu apakah semua penulis yang sudah matang, tidak pernah merasakan karyanya ditolak ? Connie Shelton contohnya. Penulis novel misteri Obsessions Can Be Murder, masih sering merasakan penolakan dari penerbit atas karya-karyanya. Meski surat penolakan tersebut ditulis dengan "sopan", namun tidak urung membuatnya frustasi. Ia pun belajar kepada penulis yang sudah lebih dulu terkenal, dengan cara mengirimkan tulisannya dan siap menerima kritik yang mereka lontarkan. Ia juga tak bosan membaca buku-buku, yang memberikan informasi untuk memperbaiki tulisannya.
Masih banyak lagi cerita-cerita dari para penulis yang menarik untuk disimak, karena kita bisa menemukan semangat menulis dan bagaimana menulis yang baik untuk menghasilkan karya yang menarik, bisa dipahami para pembaca, sehingga pesan yang ingin disampaikan melalui tulisan tersebut tercapai. Namun sayangnya buku ini tidak memuat cerita-cerita dari para penulis terkenal yang namanya familiar di Indonesia, seperti Sidney Sheldon, Agatha Christie, Stephen King, John Grisham, Dan Brown, Franz Kafka, dan lain-lain.
October 21, 2008
Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul: Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Writers
by Jack Canfield
Edition: Paperback
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Lighten Your Heart, October 18, 2008
I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul is no exception. What a great idea, to have published authors encourage other writers, by telling their stories.
Did you know that Dr. Seuss's first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected by twenty-seven publishers? Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind was turned down by more than twenty-five publishers? Fifteen publishers and thirty agents turned down John Grisham's first novel, A Time to Kill. His first book has sold over 60 million copies.
I never tire of hearing about Richard Paul Evans, and how he published the bestselling book, The Christmas Box. The book went on to create a phenomenon with grieving parents flocking to the Christmas Angel statue in Salt Lake City.
I love the story about Clive Cussler, who tells us of the power of persistence. He quit his job as a prestigious director for a national advertising agency, to work as a clerk in a dive shop. He wanted to learn all he could about diving, to help with his underwater adventure series. His family struggled, living on his wife's salary as a police dispatcher, plus his $400 a month, but he would not give up on his dream. It took Clive Cussler eleven years before his books were successful.
If you are a writer, or want to be a writer, this book is a must read. I have read it twice. Since discouragement seems to come in the night, I read one or two stories before going to sleep.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author: Through the Rug
Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat
by Jack Canfield
Edition: Paperback
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Lighten Your Heart, October 18, 2008
I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul is no exception. What a great idea, to have published authors encourage other writers, by telling their stories.
Did you know that Dr. Seuss's first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected by twenty-seven publishers? Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind was turned down by more than twenty-five publishers? Fifteen publishers and thirty agents turned down John Grisham's first novel, A Time to Kill. His first book has sold over 60 million copies.
I never tire of hearing about Richard Paul Evans, and how he published the bestselling book, The Christmas Box. The book went on to create a phenomenon with grieving parents flocking to the Christmas Angel statue in Salt Lake City.
I love the story about Clive Cussler, who tells us of the power of persistence. He quit his job as a prestigious director for a national advertising agency, to work as a clerk in a dive shop. He wanted to learn all he could about diving, to help with his underwater adventure series. His family struggled, living on his wife's salary as a police dispatcher, plus his $400 a month, but he would not give up on his dream. It took Clive Cussler eleven years before his books were successful.
If you are a writer, or want to be a writer, this book is a must read. I have read it twice. Since discouragement seems to come in the night, I read one or two stories before going to sleep.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author: Through the Rug
Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat
March 11, 2011
Let me preface this review with the fact that I don't like soup.
My family doesn't understand this, because my father could live on soup if given the choice, but I don't like it. Neither do I like stew. There's something about practically drinking your dinner that doesn't appeal to me (unless it's Guinness, but that's a much different kind of dinner). I only like soup if I know I'm starting to get sick, and then it's like drinking alarming amounts of orange juice; a preventative measure.
The 90s phenomenon of the Chicken Soup series, then, is always funny to me, because it is that. It's a dose of warm goodness that prevents heartsickness, to be read sparingly and not terribly often because it's not that good. This incarnation of the series for Writers is a bit outdated in terms of advice, but it's still a lot of really good and well-known authors offering encouragement to those at every point on the path of being a writer: just figuring it out, beginning to write, trying to publish, having been published. I'll absolutely mine this for good quotes to keep around when I feel like I'm coming down with writer's block or something, but I don't know that I'll read this every couple of months or anything.
My family doesn't understand this, because my father could live on soup if given the choice, but I don't like it. Neither do I like stew. There's something about practically drinking your dinner that doesn't appeal to me (unless it's Guinness, but that's a much different kind of dinner). I only like soup if I know I'm starting to get sick, and then it's like drinking alarming amounts of orange juice; a preventative measure.
The 90s phenomenon of the Chicken Soup series, then, is always funny to me, because it is that. It's a dose of warm goodness that prevents heartsickness, to be read sparingly and not terribly often because it's not that good. This incarnation of the series for Writers is a bit outdated in terms of advice, but it's still a lot of really good and well-known authors offering encouragement to those at every point on the path of being a writer: just figuring it out, beginning to write, trying to publish, having been published. I'll absolutely mine this for good quotes to keep around when I feel like I'm coming down with writer's block or something, but I don't know that I'll read this every couple of months or anything.
July 5, 2013
Just when I think I can’t possibly love Chicken Soup more, they come out with Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers. Writing has always been a passion of mine and the way that I express myself best. But like anything else, sometimes I experience burn out or writers block and lately it’s been both. This book came along at the perfect time and truly lifted my spirits and inspired me anew!
Making Time to Write was my absolute favorite section! One of the problems with being a stay at home mom and attempting to work with a three and five year old on the loose is challenging to say the least. I never have enough time! But these stories inspired me to make the time and take advantage of it, even if it’s only fifteen minutes.
Wrestling with Writers Block was also inspirational. How many times have I stared at a blank screen watching the cursor blink, taunting me to say something brilliant! These authors had story of hope and inspiration that made me feel not alone and that I too can do anything I set my mind too.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers is truly the inspiration it claims to be and one I very much needed to read at this time in my life!
Making Time to Write was my absolute favorite section! One of the problems with being a stay at home mom and attempting to work with a three and five year old on the loose is challenging to say the least. I never have enough time! But these stories inspired me to make the time and take advantage of it, even if it’s only fifteen minutes.
Wrestling with Writers Block was also inspirational. How many times have I stared at a blank screen watching the cursor blink, taunting me to say something brilliant! These authors had story of hope and inspiration that made me feel not alone and that I too can do anything I set my mind too.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers is truly the inspiration it claims to be and one I very much needed to read at this time in my life!
February 12, 2009
Someone gave this to me as a gift since I go on and on about how I dream of being a writer. This book was like an infusion of enthusiasm. Lots of little stories about writers. Probably my favorite was about this guy who buys a small farm house and when he isn't writing he is out doing experiments on himself to see how things really feel, so he can write about it with authenticity. So he goes out and shoots a gun in between chapters, or has his wife stuff him in the trunk and drive around with him like that. It made me realize that all those great and varied life experiences get to be lived a second time to he who writes them down. But a writer can take the time to live them intentionally the first time, all in the name of "work". I think I need to read this one again to get me back to working on my novel...
October 23, 2018
Buku ini mengingatkan bahwa kau tak berjuang sendirian. Aku membacanya mungkin dua atau tiga tahun lalu, menemukannya di rak perpustakaan entah di mana. Ingat zaman-zaman smp senang baca series chicken soup juga tergiur oleh sematan kata 'writer' nya.
Buku ini membuatku menangis. Aku begitu kagum pada semua orang yang bisa menulis buku, ingin sekali jadi penulis tapi merasa tak cukup baik untuk itu. Kisah-kisah mereka menyadarkan bahwa apa yang kuperjuangkan belum seberapa untuk bertemu yang namanya peluang.
Last, aku ingat, setelah menuntaskannya aku langsung mengetik kata kunci 'agen naskah' di internet. Menemukan agen milik (?) Ahmad Fuadi dan membaca keterangan naskah yang mereka minati. Lalu mulai berpikir menulis kisah menginspirasi. Berujung pada kesimpulan, akan enak kalo di Indonesia, agen naskah seterkenal di luar sana.
*entahlah ini review atau apa
Buku ini membuatku menangis. Aku begitu kagum pada semua orang yang bisa menulis buku, ingin sekali jadi penulis tapi merasa tak cukup baik untuk itu. Kisah-kisah mereka menyadarkan bahwa apa yang kuperjuangkan belum seberapa untuk bertemu yang namanya peluang.
Last, aku ingat, setelah menuntaskannya aku langsung mengetik kata kunci 'agen naskah' di internet. Menemukan agen milik (?) Ahmad Fuadi dan membaca keterangan naskah yang mereka minati. Lalu mulai berpikir menulis kisah menginspirasi. Berujung pada kesimpulan, akan enak kalo di Indonesia, agen naskah seterkenal di luar sana.
*entahlah ini review atau apa
March 27, 2017
This is the second Chicken Soup for Writer's book I have read now. So many of these stories are so inspirational. Some memorable ones are simply advice on how to write, chance circumstances across the world that are too wild to be a coincidence. A few great ones about the author Alex Haley, and the last one in the book is a wonderful piece by Ray Bradbury. After reading many of these stories I found myself stopping, simply clutching the book, and staring out the window with tears in my eyes. Many of these stories were really great. Some a little drier than others but that's okay. The really good ones more than made up for it. Great reading for the new writer or any writer that needs inspiration.
December 14, 2007
I think this book has inspired me to become a good writer with huge passion for the writing itself. This book has encouraged me once more to pursue my dream as a writer. I've once tried to forget about becoming a full time and dedicated writer. But this book has burnt the desire once more to become one.
March 30, 2007
I bought and started reading this on a vacation. I believe it was just on the Cape, but I remember that while other people went off to other stores, I wanted to stay in the bookstore. The stories were held my attention at the time, but none jump out at me in my memory now.
August 6, 2008
It shows the support needed by struggling authors AND how they get it from their family and friends. Without support and feedback, it is next to impossible to make it as a writer and that's why my friends are such a valuable sounding board for me.
March 3, 2014
Every story is truly inspirational and made me want to triple my writing efforts. A beautiful book for writer for motivation, inspiration or to just enjoy stories of fellow writers about their writing journey and life.
March 23, 2007
It's one of those book that just reaches out and touches your heart. I enjoy it for the sentimental and emotional journey that you go through when reading the short stories.
June 27, 2007
I bought this book because I have stopped being a published writer since 2005 (thanks to technology=). I read this every time I wanted to be reminded that more than anyting---writing is my destiny.
August 23, 2007
I always thought I should give up on writing because I can't do it for a living anyway, but this book made me want to write again.
August 23, 2007
This is a must-read for writers, whether you're a professional or someone who just likes to pen a poem every now and then. It truly soothes the soul.
December 2, 2008
Okay, so this one is not for everybody...unless you have an interest in writing. But I enjoyed it, because it's fun to get other author/writer's POV's.
March 8, 2016
Nakokornihan din ako sa sarili ko kung bakit ko binili 'to. Wala eh, para kasi akong naliligaw na bata na kahit kanino sasama para lang makabalik sa tahanan.
November 6, 2015
Seeing I am doing NaNoWriMo this month, I figure this would be a good time to read some books about writing. Reading this gave me motivation to do my best this month!
January 5, 2026
I do not usually read this series but was waiting for loans to arrive from the library and was traveling, so I needed something I could pick up and put down easily and this book about writers and writing, drew me in.
This book assumes the series usual format, short two-to-three-page stories around a defined theme in which contributors share their personal stories. The book is divided into ten separate chapters covering everything from why these authors became writers to finally reaching a measure of success, often after many years of working at and perfecting their craft. They speak about getting the spark of an idea for a story, the struggle to get it down on paper and the endlessly editing process they worked through before struggling to find a publisher. Then there were the long waits for a reply and the perseverance needed to stick it out over the reject letters until they either took it elsewhere, shelved it for a period of time or rewrote it until it was accepted.
It includes a wide range of professional writers, from novelists to journalists to screen writers and celebrity authors. Among the contributors, there were a few I knew, including Sue Grafton, Steve Allen, Ernest Gaines, Alex Hailey, Bryce Courtenay, Ray Bradbury, Art Linkletter and George Plimpton, but many were names I did not recognize.
Their stories are not just interesting but make for compelling reading, dispelling the myth that life as a writer is a romantic adventure, enjoying the swashbuckling life of someone like Ernest Hemmingway. Instead, it is presented as the hard work it is, whether energized by a feeling from youth that the author wanted to be a writer, to a need for change, or a crisis in life that sent them on a different path after years of working at something else. Some had more personal motivations, a pressing need to understand their own thoughts and feelings, find a safe space to express themselves or to tell their life story
They describe how writing is a way to connect with others as well as a way to help readers understand the world. They write to make a connection with people by describing experiences everyone shares: hard times, tender moments, despair and delight.
One of the major frustrations of writers is achieving their ultimate goal of getting published. It requires accepting the rejections slips that constantly arrive in the mail and not always completely understanding why their work has not been accepted. The process emphasizes how being a writer means not just writing a book, but promoting, marketing and selling it.
There are some stories that are especially moving such as that by Ernest Gaines, who lived on a sugar plantation and worked in the fields till he was eight and was fifteen or sixteen before he ever entered a library. He describes how he learned the hard way to write about what he knew, Louisiana and the people who lived there. Another writer describes how a workshop she gave in a prison changed one young man’s life, while another describes how writing helped him overcome his son death from AIDS. George Plimpton shares the hazards of life as a participating journalist and how he survived quarterbacking the Detroit Lions, playing forward with the Boston Celtics, boxing with Archie Moore and playing goalie for the Boston Bruins. He describes suffering more from the humiliation of his bruised ego than from the physical injuries he suffered. Charlie Kirk also a participatory journalist, wrote about what it was like to be a soldier in the Vietnam War, living with other soldiers in the fields for weeks at a time and describing what he saw, heard and felt during that time., his content often different from what was officially communicated.
Children whose mother wrote an advice column describe what it was like to see their mother’s advice appear in print. On the other side of the coin, mothers describe their frustration of trying to write when their children were young and did not understand the demands of deadlines, writing endless query letters and the need to respond to the demands of editors.
Many of these writers agree there is no such thing as overnight success. Instead, as Bryce Courtenay says, it takes years and is not always about being the best educated and most talented. Instead, it is about being the most determined about hanging on and never giving up. It takes years to become an effective writer and only then can a writer become a successful story teller.
Philip Barry Osbourne believes that some of the best writing, the kind that readers readily identify with, comes out of the small concerns and daily happenings we all experience. Change is the biggest challenge we all face in life which is why personal stories exploring transitions are always popular.
An interesting read for those who enjoy writing and reading about the shared experiences of others who became successful writers. I especially enjoyed the quotes that began each section and each chapter, but my favorite was from Somerset Maugham: "There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately no one knows what they are".
This book assumes the series usual format, short two-to-three-page stories around a defined theme in which contributors share their personal stories. The book is divided into ten separate chapters covering everything from why these authors became writers to finally reaching a measure of success, often after many years of working at and perfecting their craft. They speak about getting the spark of an idea for a story, the struggle to get it down on paper and the endlessly editing process they worked through before struggling to find a publisher. Then there were the long waits for a reply and the perseverance needed to stick it out over the reject letters until they either took it elsewhere, shelved it for a period of time or rewrote it until it was accepted.
It includes a wide range of professional writers, from novelists to journalists to screen writers and celebrity authors. Among the contributors, there were a few I knew, including Sue Grafton, Steve Allen, Ernest Gaines, Alex Hailey, Bryce Courtenay, Ray Bradbury, Art Linkletter and George Plimpton, but many were names I did not recognize.
Their stories are not just interesting but make for compelling reading, dispelling the myth that life as a writer is a romantic adventure, enjoying the swashbuckling life of someone like Ernest Hemmingway. Instead, it is presented as the hard work it is, whether energized by a feeling from youth that the author wanted to be a writer, to a need for change, or a crisis in life that sent them on a different path after years of working at something else. Some had more personal motivations, a pressing need to understand their own thoughts and feelings, find a safe space to express themselves or to tell their life story
They describe how writing is a way to connect with others as well as a way to help readers understand the world. They write to make a connection with people by describing experiences everyone shares: hard times, tender moments, despair and delight.
One of the major frustrations of writers is achieving their ultimate goal of getting published. It requires accepting the rejections slips that constantly arrive in the mail and not always completely understanding why their work has not been accepted. The process emphasizes how being a writer means not just writing a book, but promoting, marketing and selling it.
There are some stories that are especially moving such as that by Ernest Gaines, who lived on a sugar plantation and worked in the fields till he was eight and was fifteen or sixteen before he ever entered a library. He describes how he learned the hard way to write about what he knew, Louisiana and the people who lived there. Another writer describes how a workshop she gave in a prison changed one young man’s life, while another describes how writing helped him overcome his son death from AIDS. George Plimpton shares the hazards of life as a participating journalist and how he survived quarterbacking the Detroit Lions, playing forward with the Boston Celtics, boxing with Archie Moore and playing goalie for the Boston Bruins. He describes suffering more from the humiliation of his bruised ego than from the physical injuries he suffered. Charlie Kirk also a participatory journalist, wrote about what it was like to be a soldier in the Vietnam War, living with other soldiers in the fields for weeks at a time and describing what he saw, heard and felt during that time., his content often different from what was officially communicated.
Children whose mother wrote an advice column describe what it was like to see their mother’s advice appear in print. On the other side of the coin, mothers describe their frustration of trying to write when their children were young and did not understand the demands of deadlines, writing endless query letters and the need to respond to the demands of editors.
Many of these writers agree there is no such thing as overnight success. Instead, as Bryce Courtenay says, it takes years and is not always about being the best educated and most talented. Instead, it is about being the most determined about hanging on and never giving up. It takes years to become an effective writer and only then can a writer become a successful story teller.
Philip Barry Osbourne believes that some of the best writing, the kind that readers readily identify with, comes out of the small concerns and daily happenings we all experience. Change is the biggest challenge we all face in life which is why personal stories exploring transitions are always popular.
An interesting read for those who enjoy writing and reading about the shared experiences of others who became successful writers. I especially enjoyed the quotes that began each section and each chapter, but my favorite was from Somerset Maugham: "There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately no one knows what they are".
July 18, 2011
Sekitar sepuluh tahun yang lalu, saya pernah membaca buku Quantum Learning, yang mungkin saat itu sedang ngetrendnya istilah Quantum. Pelajaran fisika mekanika quantum masih lumayan segar di kepala saya (saat itu). Pada saat itu materi dalam buku itu kira-kira "memprogram" diri sendiri untuk mencapai tujuan pelajaran dengan membuat semacam pohon perencanaan. Di benak saya saat itu, saya memutuskan untuk belajar menulis. Kenapa menulis? Saat itu saya pikir menulis itu menyenangkan. Namun, setelah mencoba, saya hanya berhasil pada tahap menulis buku harian. Dan buku harian saya itu sekarang entah kemana akibat dari pindah kos-kosan.
Selagi marak-maraknya jejaring sosial Friendster, dan kebetulan ada fasilitas blognya, maka saya mencoba belajar menulis di sana. Tetapi sayang, friendster sekarang berubah. baik foto-foto maupun profile dan postingan blog saya, tidak dapat ditemukan lagi disana, hiks.
Pada perjalanannya, kegiatan menulis saya tidak dapat bekerja dengan baik. Entahkah itu kehabisan ide, merasa hal yang akan saya tuliskan itu akan biasa saja, atau mood yang tidak dapat terkumpul dengan full team :). Setelah saya renung-renungkan sekarang, benar apa yang dikatakan oleh Sitta Karina pada twitternya: #Menulis, fiksi maupun non-fiksi, lahir krn kecintaan kita pd kata dan cerita. Jadi, bisa diawali dg banyak membaca. Hal ini dulu yang mungkin tidak saya identifikasi sebagai salah satu penghambat dalam menulis.
Dalam buku ini Anda tidak akan menemukan tips-tips menulis ataupun kiat-kiat menulis yang sukses. Buku ini memercikkan inspirasi. Buku ini adalah kumpulan tulisan dari penulis yang merasakan bahwa menulis itu adalah bagian dari hidup mereka yang berharga. Kita dapat mengetahui bagaimana proses bagaimana sisi lain dari penulis ketika mengawali, dan mempertahankan dunia kepenulisan mereka. Baiklah, saya akan mencoba menyarikan buku ini dengan bertanya pada mereka.
Menurut anda, apa itu menulis?
Terry McMillan: Menulis adalah tempat perlindunganku. Aku tidak bersembunyi di balik kata-katanya; aku menggunakan kata-kata itu untuk menggali di dalam hatiku untuk menemukan kebenaran.
Christine Clifford: Peran yang paling kusukai dan memenuhiku dengan perasaan bangga
Kate M. Brausen: Menulis adalah sejenis doa, yang terus membantuku mencapai dan menaklukkan hidupku tanpa merasa, pada akhirnya, ditaklukkan olehnya.
Apa pelajaran berharga dalam menulis?
Gene Peret: Yang pertama adalah dalam mewujudkan impian apapun harus dibutuhkan usaha. Impian mempunyai kekuatan yang sangat besar, tapi hanya ketika diperkuat oleh penelitian, pembelajaran, dan usaha. Yang kedua adalah jika kita menjalani prosesnya, kita akan mencapai tujuan kita.
Gregory Poirier: Uang bagiku merupakan produk sampingan yang menyenangkan dari menulis; uang bukan alasanku menulis.
Nora Profit: Jangan sampai kau meragukan dirimu sendiri. Kau akan rugi.
Siapakah yang mengenalkanmu menulis?
Cookie Potter: Ayahku. Ayahku membacakanku cerita atau bercerita untukku setiap malam.
Dierdre W. Honnold: Ibuku. Ia sangat suka bercerita tentang cerita yang suatu hari yang akan ia tulis dalam bukunya.
Mengapa Anda terus menulis?
Catharine Bramkamp: seseorang berkata padaku "Sahabat saya baru saja pindah, dan Anda mengatakan apa yang saya rasakan, tapi saya tidak punya kata-katanya."
Elizabeth Engstrom: Dunia memerlukannya. Itu pekerjaan kami.
Marilyn Pribus: Ketika kita menulis tentang hal-hal yang dirasakan orang di manapun-saat sulit, saat menyenangkan, keputusasaan, kegembiraan-sandi dikirim, seorang sahabat sejiwa menangkapnya, dan hubungan penting itu terjalin.
Apa pesan dari teladan Anda dalam menulis?
Sue Grafton: Ayahku mengatakan: Membungkuklah bersama angin. Ketika kekecewaan datang, sesuatu yang pasti kamu alami, jangan menjadi kaku karena perasaan pahit. Bersikaplah anggun. Pasrah. Anggap dirimu sendiri sebagai sebatang anak pohon, menyerah pada keadaan tanpa patah atau putus.
Dan Millman: Issac Bashevis Singer menulis, " Hidup adalah novel Tuhan; biarkan Tuhan yang menulisnya."
Ed Robertson: Ayahku berkata: "Kalau menulis tentang periode sejarah, kita harus menyajikan fakta yang benar. Kalau ada satu fakta yang tidak benar, seluruh cerita akan rusak."
Ethel Bangert: James A. Michener menyarankan pada penulis muda untuk melakukan penelitian mendalam sebelum mencoba menulis sebuah novel.
Apa pesan Anda bagi para (calon) penulis?
Howard Fast: Ada penulis yang berpenghasilan jutaan, dan ada penulis lain yang berpenghasilan sangat sedikit, tapi itu bukan ukuran nilai. Nilai sejati ada dalam dirimu dan hanya bisa diukur oleh pengertianmu akan keadaan manusia. Belajarlah untuk berpikir jernih, pahami mediamu dan pahami orang-orang.
Irving Wallace: Weidman menasihatiku "Pikirkan tentang menulis satu halaman, hanya satu halaman, setiap hari. Di akhir 365 hari, di akhir satu tahun, kamu mempunyai 365 halaman. Dan tahukah kamu apa yang kamu punya? Kamu mempunyai sebuah buku lengkap."
Setelah saya membaca kumpulan kisah para penulis ini, saya makin memahami kira-kira bagaimana suasana kebatinan si penulis di balik tulisan-tulisannya. Seperti profesi lain di luar penulis, kegagalan, frustrasi, tantangan, adalah masa-masa yang cukup berat. Para penulis ini berbagi kehidupan bahwa pada suatu titik akan ada kepuasan tersendiri yang entah itu sesuai dengan harapan sebelumnya atau tidak. Namun, pada intinya saya yakin mereka sependapat, bahwa mereka itu menikmati hidup ini dengan menulis.
Kembali pada tulisan saya di atas, saya membuka-buka lagi laman blog saya, kok ya masih belum terinspirasi? Pertanyaan kedua: "Bila dihubungkan dengan aktivitas membaca, mana yang lebih penting, sebanyak apa yang telah kau baca dengan sebanyak apa yang telah kau tulis?"
Yah..namun paling tidak saya sudahmengetik ulang menulis kutipan-kutipan di atas, semoga suatu saat otak dan jari-jari saya berkenan bekerja sama :)
@hws18072011
Selagi marak-maraknya jejaring sosial Friendster, dan kebetulan ada fasilitas blognya, maka saya mencoba belajar menulis di sana. Tetapi sayang, friendster sekarang berubah. baik foto-foto maupun profile dan postingan blog saya, tidak dapat ditemukan lagi disana, hiks.
Pada perjalanannya, kegiatan menulis saya tidak dapat bekerja dengan baik. Entahkah itu kehabisan ide, merasa hal yang akan saya tuliskan itu akan biasa saja, atau mood yang tidak dapat terkumpul dengan full team :). Setelah saya renung-renungkan sekarang, benar apa yang dikatakan oleh Sitta Karina pada twitternya: #Menulis, fiksi maupun non-fiksi, lahir krn kecintaan kita pd kata dan cerita. Jadi, bisa diawali dg banyak membaca. Hal ini dulu yang mungkin tidak saya identifikasi sebagai salah satu penghambat dalam menulis.
Dalam buku ini Anda tidak akan menemukan tips-tips menulis ataupun kiat-kiat menulis yang sukses. Buku ini memercikkan inspirasi. Buku ini adalah kumpulan tulisan dari penulis yang merasakan bahwa menulis itu adalah bagian dari hidup mereka yang berharga. Kita dapat mengetahui bagaimana proses bagaimana sisi lain dari penulis ketika mengawali, dan mempertahankan dunia kepenulisan mereka. Baiklah, saya akan mencoba menyarikan buku ini dengan bertanya pada mereka.
Menurut anda, apa itu menulis?
Terry McMillan: Menulis adalah tempat perlindunganku. Aku tidak bersembunyi di balik kata-katanya; aku menggunakan kata-kata itu untuk menggali di dalam hatiku untuk menemukan kebenaran.
Christine Clifford: Peran yang paling kusukai dan memenuhiku dengan perasaan bangga
Kate M. Brausen: Menulis adalah sejenis doa, yang terus membantuku mencapai dan menaklukkan hidupku tanpa merasa, pada akhirnya, ditaklukkan olehnya.
Apa pelajaran berharga dalam menulis?
Gene Peret: Yang pertama adalah dalam mewujudkan impian apapun harus dibutuhkan usaha. Impian mempunyai kekuatan yang sangat besar, tapi hanya ketika diperkuat oleh penelitian, pembelajaran, dan usaha. Yang kedua adalah jika kita menjalani prosesnya, kita akan mencapai tujuan kita.
Gregory Poirier: Uang bagiku merupakan produk sampingan yang menyenangkan dari menulis; uang bukan alasanku menulis.
Nora Profit: Jangan sampai kau meragukan dirimu sendiri. Kau akan rugi.
Siapakah yang mengenalkanmu menulis?
Cookie Potter: Ayahku. Ayahku membacakanku cerita atau bercerita untukku setiap malam.
Dierdre W. Honnold: Ibuku. Ia sangat suka bercerita tentang cerita yang suatu hari yang akan ia tulis dalam bukunya.
Mengapa Anda terus menulis?
Catharine Bramkamp: seseorang berkata padaku "Sahabat saya baru saja pindah, dan Anda mengatakan apa yang saya rasakan, tapi saya tidak punya kata-katanya."
Elizabeth Engstrom: Dunia memerlukannya. Itu pekerjaan kami.
Marilyn Pribus: Ketika kita menulis tentang hal-hal yang dirasakan orang di manapun-saat sulit, saat menyenangkan, keputusasaan, kegembiraan-sandi dikirim, seorang sahabat sejiwa menangkapnya, dan hubungan penting itu terjalin.
Apa pesan dari teladan Anda dalam menulis?
Sue Grafton: Ayahku mengatakan: Membungkuklah bersama angin. Ketika kekecewaan datang, sesuatu yang pasti kamu alami, jangan menjadi kaku karena perasaan pahit. Bersikaplah anggun. Pasrah. Anggap dirimu sendiri sebagai sebatang anak pohon, menyerah pada keadaan tanpa patah atau putus.
Dan Millman: Issac Bashevis Singer menulis, " Hidup adalah novel Tuhan; biarkan Tuhan yang menulisnya."
Ed Robertson: Ayahku berkata: "Kalau menulis tentang periode sejarah, kita harus menyajikan fakta yang benar. Kalau ada satu fakta yang tidak benar, seluruh cerita akan rusak."
Ethel Bangert: James A. Michener menyarankan pada penulis muda untuk melakukan penelitian mendalam sebelum mencoba menulis sebuah novel.
Apa pesan Anda bagi para (calon) penulis?
Howard Fast: Ada penulis yang berpenghasilan jutaan, dan ada penulis lain yang berpenghasilan sangat sedikit, tapi itu bukan ukuran nilai. Nilai sejati ada dalam dirimu dan hanya bisa diukur oleh pengertianmu akan keadaan manusia. Belajarlah untuk berpikir jernih, pahami mediamu dan pahami orang-orang.
Irving Wallace: Weidman menasihatiku "Pikirkan tentang menulis satu halaman, hanya satu halaman, setiap hari. Di akhir 365 hari, di akhir satu tahun, kamu mempunyai 365 halaman. Dan tahukah kamu apa yang kamu punya? Kamu mempunyai sebuah buku lengkap."
Setelah saya membaca kumpulan kisah para penulis ini, saya makin memahami kira-kira bagaimana suasana kebatinan si penulis di balik tulisan-tulisannya. Seperti profesi lain di luar penulis, kegagalan, frustrasi, tantangan, adalah masa-masa yang cukup berat. Para penulis ini berbagi kehidupan bahwa pada suatu titik akan ada kepuasan tersendiri yang entah itu sesuai dengan harapan sebelumnya atau tidak. Namun, pada intinya saya yakin mereka sependapat, bahwa mereka itu menikmati hidup ini dengan menulis.
Kembali pada tulisan saya di atas, saya membuka-buka lagi laman blog saya, kok ya masih belum terinspirasi? Pertanyaan kedua: "Bila dihubungkan dengan aktivitas membaca, mana yang lebih penting, sebanyak apa yang telah kau baca dengan sebanyak apa yang telah kau tulis?"
Yah..namun paling tidak saya sudah
@hws18072011
December 13, 2022
This was so inspiring and extremely motivating, it soothed my soul, expectations from cover met 10/10. It taught me so much about writing, but more importantly, it made me realise it's okay to stumble. You know when you're young and everybody tells you "Mistakes are proof that you are trying" and "fall 7 times, get up 8"? And so many other preachy quotes in a fruitless attempt to get you to be thick-skinned? And then, you somehow still fear failure when you grow up, and by the time you finally do fail in something, it feels like the end of the world, and if you open up to someone, again the preachy, unrealistic quotes....
This book gives real life examples of failure and resilience in times of adversity. For the first time in my life, I feel that I see failure in an extremely healthy light. This book didn't just help me with my writing (it has the best writing advice I've read by the way), it helped me adopt a positive attitude and cleared so many doubts I had on life in general. People in this book are failing in school, they're broke, a couple people get cancer, the other gets an extremely rare, incurable paralysis disease. Sounds horrible? Maybe. Why would anyone want to read about those things? Because, if not anything else, that's relatable. That's just how life goes sometimes. Because, all these people, no matter what they faced in life, somehow, got up, and they not only got up, but slayed through every single obstacle thrown at them, AND fulfilled their wildest dreams. Who reads The Princess Diaries and goes; "Omg I totally relate to being told I'm royalty one day and getting the man of my dreams and being stunningly gorgeous..." No one relates to that, and if you do, then please trade lives with me :) I read this book, and after every single chapter, I closed the book, and thought about it for 10 minutes straight, and I realised that maybe reading about cancer and broken marriages and failing careers isn't fun, but it's definitely what I needed. I loved every second of it.
This book gives real life examples of failure and resilience in times of adversity. For the first time in my life, I feel that I see failure in an extremely healthy light. This book didn't just help me with my writing (it has the best writing advice I've read by the way), it helped me adopt a positive attitude and cleared so many doubts I had on life in general. People in this book are failing in school, they're broke, a couple people get cancer, the other gets an extremely rare, incurable paralysis disease. Sounds horrible? Maybe. Why would anyone want to read about those things? Because, if not anything else, that's relatable. That's just how life goes sometimes. Because, all these people, no matter what they faced in life, somehow, got up, and they not only got up, but slayed through every single obstacle thrown at them, AND fulfilled their wildest dreams. Who reads The Princess Diaries and goes; "Omg I totally relate to being told I'm royalty one day and getting the man of my dreams and being stunningly gorgeous..." No one relates to that, and if you do, then please trade lives with me :) I read this book, and after every single chapter, I closed the book, and thought about it for 10 minutes straight, and I realised that maybe reading about cancer and broken marriages and failing careers isn't fun, but it's definitely what I needed. I loved every second of it.
February 17, 2020
This is just what the doctor ordered for writers, and aspiring writers. The core tenet which all the essays, stories and authors comments boils down to is one thing: sit yourself down and write, every day. Leave editing and critiquing until the project, or at least the first version of the product, is finished. Just write!
Here are my favorite quotes from the book:
From Gregory Poirier: "The goal is to buy the freedom to write what you love.....But if this is it for you, if this is what feeds your soul, then jump in and work hard. Struggle and cry and sweat it out onto the page. And don't forget to love it, even when it starts paying off."
From Frank Harvey: "Light a candle, a match, anything, always remembering that the finest helping hand you are ever likely to find is the one attached to the end of your own arm."
One last thought: the leader of a writer's workshop I attend always, always admonishes us: Remember, you are the author. That makes you the authority of your work. I find those words scary and challenging and empowering.
Here are my favorite quotes from the book:
From Gregory Poirier: "The goal is to buy the freedom to write what you love.....But if this is it for you, if this is what feeds your soul, then jump in and work hard. Struggle and cry and sweat it out onto the page. And don't forget to love it, even when it starts paying off."
From Frank Harvey: "Light a candle, a match, anything, always remembering that the finest helping hand you are ever likely to find is the one attached to the end of your own arm."
One last thought: the leader of a writer's workshop I attend always, always admonishes us: Remember, you are the author. That makes you the authority of your work. I find those words scary and challenging and empowering.
August 2, 2023
DNF
I'm finally calling it quits on this book, as I haven't touched it in over two years even though I keep telling myself I'll get back to it. I even picked it up to read one final story and was bored within the first few paragraphs.
I used to love the Chicken Soup books as a kid and when I saw there was a writer's one, I had to buy it. However, the stories all quickly began to blur together, even when moving on to another section, and I found myself caring less and engaging less with each one. It doesn't help that I haven't read anything by these authors (at least, not as far as I got in this book), and so I don't even have a personal connection that way.
Not to say this book is bad in any way, as it does exactly what Chicken Soup books do, but I got 137 pages in without finding a single story that grabbed my attention or stood out in any way. So, to the DNF pile it goes.
I'm finally calling it quits on this book, as I haven't touched it in over two years even though I keep telling myself I'll get back to it. I even picked it up to read one final story and was bored within the first few paragraphs.
I used to love the Chicken Soup books as a kid and when I saw there was a writer's one, I had to buy it. However, the stories all quickly began to blur together, even when moving on to another section, and I found myself caring less and engaging less with each one. It doesn't help that I haven't read anything by these authors (at least, not as far as I got in this book), and so I don't even have a personal connection that way.
Not to say this book is bad in any way, as it does exactly what Chicken Soup books do, but I got 137 pages in without finding a single story that grabbed my attention or stood out in any way. So, to the DNF pile it goes.
October 15, 2022
First up I would like to acknowledge that every single story in this collection is somebody's personal story and therefore valid and due our respect. But when I read them, one after another, they all started to sound the same. Everywhere was pain and grief, struggles and obstacles to overcome. I came away with the message that life is hard, writing makes it harder still and getting published is almost impossible. What I found was not inspiration but drudgery. The moments of joy and glory I did find were not nearly enough to make up for the pages and pages of despair.
September 23, 2024
The perfect bedside book to have when you just need to read a little something without getting too involved with a storyline or are in-between books. The short stories are inspirational - also funny, poignant, tear inducing and more. Since it's my copy, I had no problem dog-earring pages to go back to for quotes or to find a particular author to follow.
A good read for aspiring writers to realize that writing takes time and commitment. I liked that there was a section of rejection included - since that is a part of the writing process too.
A good read for aspiring writers to realize that writing takes time and commitment. I liked that there was a section of rejection included - since that is a part of the writing process too.
July 20, 2025
I think I found only 2 errors not corrected by the editors of this 406-page book. Those errors can certainly be overlooked when weighed against the excellent stories in this book.
This book has been patiently waiting on my bookshelf for years while I have been busy reading other books, but the stories in this book are still worth reading and not any less relevant now than when the book was published.
How refreshing it is to read stories to nurture the soul when so much current news is very depressing!
This book has been patiently waiting on my bookshelf for years while I have been busy reading other books, but the stories in this book are still worth reading and not any less relevant now than when the book was published.
How refreshing it is to read stories to nurture the soul when so much current news is very depressing!
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