Write from the Heart: Inspiration & Exercises for Women Who Want to Write

by Lesléa Newman

If you’ve always wanted to be a writer but feel like you don’t have anything to say, this book is for you. If you know you have a scintillating story to tell or a profound revelation to share but don’t know how to get started, this book is for you, too. In WRITE FROM THE HEART, author Lesléa Newman helps you break down mental obstacles and move past the proverbial blank page with a multitude of exercises designed to get you writing. By encouraging women to use their own life experiences as a platform from which to write, Newman removes the fear and enables fledgling storytellers to feel confident about their abilities. With practical advice on structure and technique as well as gentle encouragement and support, WRITE FROM THE HEART helps women turn their writer’s block into page-turning prose.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

242 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2003

About the author

Lesléa Newman (born 1955, Brooklyn, NY) is the author of over 50 books including Heather Has Two Mommies, A Letter To Harvey Milk, Writing From The Heart, In Every Laugh a Tear, The Femme Mystique, Still Life with Buddy, Fat Chance and Out of the Closet and Nothing to Wear.
She has received many literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and two Pushcart Prize Nominations.
Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.
Ms. Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children's books on lesbian and gay families: Gloria Goes To Gay Pride, Belinda's Bouquet, Too Far Away to Touch, and Saturday Is Pattyday.
She is also the author of many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two. Other topics Ms. Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. Her award-winning short story, A Letter To Harvey Milk has been made into a film and adapted for the stage.
In addition to being an author, Ms. Newman is a popular guest lecturer, and has spoken on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Oregon, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College and the University of Judaism. From 2005-2009, Lesléa was a faculty member of the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine. Currently, she is the Poet Laureate of Northampton, MA.

Reviews

[Amanda Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best writing exercise books I have ever read. Possibly only On Writing by Stephen King beats this one.I have used these exercises relentlessly. Well thought out and easy to use. I recommend this book to any student that comes through The Write Co.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written by one of my mentors and has excellent writing prompts and practice tips. The introduction is also inspirational and encouraging, though it's worded directly to a woman.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing exercises to jumpstart women's life stories.