Part Wild: A Writer's Guide to Harnessing the Creative Power of Resistance

by Deb Norton

“A must-read for any aspiring or seasoned writer.” — Huffington PostWe all have the call to create. The question is…why don’t we answer it?We all come pre-loaded with a creative spark that drives us to innovate, explore, express, and make our unique contribution to the world. Often, though, that drive doesn’t get us very far down the road before it runs right smack into resistance—the mysterious force that thwarts creativity.But resistance needn’t be the enemy of writing—or any other creative endeavor. Deb Norton’s Part Wild provides fun and practical ways to turn resistance into a creative asset.Whether it presents as doubt, perfectionism, or Deb’s a chorus of withering inner critics, the power of resistance can be leveraged to launch the creative process with real momentum. Once we harness resistance, we can let our creative impulses off the leash.Norton has turned a decade of sold-out writing retreats and private coaching into a process for powering up your creative ideas. In Part Wild , she shares dozens of illuminating and effective practices and quick-start prompts that are guaranteed to get us out of our heads and onto the page.Just as The Artist’s Way gave millions of readers permission to explore their creative side, Part Wild shows writers of all levels of experience and skill how to harness the electrifying power of resistance and get writing.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2016

Reviews

[Lucy Bellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of being in one of Deb's writing groups as a teenager, and we'd often lament the lack of a "Pocket Deb" to carry with us once our meetings were done. It's no surprise, then, that I was delighted to delve into this book and find all the hard-won wisdom from those electric group sessions expanded upon and deepened into a text full of kindness, inspiration, and practical knowledge. Deb's coaching is something I return to every time I sit down to create, whether as a writer or an artist. Her approach to tackling resistance as a natural part of the creative process is a far more helpful and nuanced tack than the standard model of using willpower to run over "writer's block" like it doesn't exist. From quick prompts and exercises to get your pen moving, to meditations on where the meat of our creative practice truly lies, I love every part of this book. A must-have for creators of all types—I know I'll be giving it to everyone I know for years to come.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book over a year ago and was excited to read and do the writing exercises as I went along. It got set aside when things in my life got busy, but I picked it up again when the book club I am in decided it would be the book selection for next month.... now moved to July. I decided to read through to the end then return to reread the beginning and finish off the exercises.
Deb Norton looks at creative resistance in a much more body conscience way, compared to The War of Art that we read for last month's book club selection.
Both books were great, but Norton pulls us into the experience and gives writing exercises and prompts to allow a writer to assess a deeper level. She believes we can use the resistance to help us more forward. Feel the fear and do it anyway is a motto of hers.
She takes a positive spin on something that can really grip and stop a writer. The book is composed of 4 areas - Resistance Training (building stamina and flexibility); The Nature versus Nurture of Resistance (learning what is True); Resistance is Fertile (Let the Sunshine in); Vive La Resistance (bring on the resistance!).
She has us kicking the Inner Critic's butt and embracing the Inner Champion. She also gives guidelines for writing in packs... similar guidelines to the ones Melinda Burns uses in her workshops. I am grateful to be included in her sessions.

[Rhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, there were some tips about writing, but they were buried amongst the author's own life story, the weird title, the concept of resistance and the obscurely-worded tips ("a week of strawberries", "attend to the coals"). Not a style for me. It was hard work to read and extract the messages.

I couldn't help thinking that if you are really finding it that hard to write and need to use all these prompts and tips, then it probably means that writing is not for you - find something else to do.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and Refreshing.

[Brandi Schreiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on craft and harnessing resistance. Loved it!