Secrets of the Zona Rosa: How Writing (and Sisterhood) Can Change Women's Lives

by Rosemary Daniell

An inspiring guide featuring the wit, wisdom, and stories of Zona Rosa, the writing-and-sisterhood workshop that has empowered thousands of women
For more than twenty years, Rosemary Daniell―Southern belle, successful writer, and tireless champion of female empowerment―has led Zona Rosa, a writing workshop for women founded on the premise that writing can be not only a creative challenge but a tool for healing. Here, she shares the secrets of Zona practical advice and home-grown "Exorcises" that help you face and think through writing issues, and life in general.
You'll learn how to avoid the "13 (Possible) Boo Boos" that plague everyone's writing. You'll bring yourself to "Write About the Thing I Most Don't Want to Write About" and learn how facing the difficult past can lead to breakthroughs. You'll discover "The Emotional Tai Chi of Getting Your Work Out There," with suggestions for painlessly sending your work into the world.
Along the way, you'll meet some of the many women who have improved their writing―and lives―through the camaraderie, constructive advice, and fun of Zona Rosa. And you'll be inspired by Rosemary Daniell herself, who has weathered personal tragedy, Bad Love, and her own writing issues to come out singing. Secrets of the Zona Rosa is essential reading for any woman who writes―and who has lived a life full of stories.

Genres: Writing

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2006

About the author

Rosemary Daniell's new book, Secrets of the Zona Rosa: How Writing (and Sisterhood) Can Change Women's Lives, was published by Henry Holt and Company in May, 2006. Its prequel, The Woman Who Spilled Words All Over Herself: Writing and Living the Zona Rosa Way, was published by Faber & Faber, in 1997. Her revolutionary memoir, Fatal Flowers: On Sin, Sex and Suicide in the Deep South (Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1980; Henry Holt & Company, 1989; Hill Street Press, 1999) won the 1999 Palimpsest Prize for a most-requested out-of-print book, and was re-issued that same year. Along with her second memoir, Sleeping with Soldiers (Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1984; Hill Street Press, 2003), it was a forerunner of the current memoir trend. She is the author of five other books of poetry and prose, including and her collection of essays, Confessions of a (Female) Chauvinist (Hill Street Press, 2001), a novel, The Hurricane Season (William Morrow & Company, 1992); two collections of poetry, A Sexual Tour of the Deep South (Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1975; Push Button Publishing, 1994) and Fort Bragg & Other Points South (Henry Holt & Company, 1987).

Among her awards are two N.E.A. Fellowships in creative writing, one in poetry, another in fiction. In addition, her features and reviews have appeared in numerous magazines and papers, including Harper’s Bazaar, New York Woman, Mademoiselle, The New York Times Book Review and Mother Jones; she has also been a guest on many national radio and television shows, such as Merv Griffin, Donahue, The Diane Rehm Show, Larry King Live and CNN’s “Portrait of America.” She is profiled in the book Feminists Who Changed America, 1963-1975. In 2008, she received a Governor’s Award in the Humanities for her impact on the state of Georgia; early in her career, she instigated and led writing workshops in women's prisons in Georgia and Wyoming, served as program director for Georgia's Poetry in the Schools, and worked for a dozen years in Poetry in the Schools programs in Georgia, South Carolina, and Wyoming.

Also known as one of the best writing coaches in the country, she is the founder and leader of Zona Rosa, a series of creative writing workshops in Savannah and Atlanta, and cities throughout the world, as described in People and Southern Living magazines, and attended by such outstanding writers as John Berendt, Bruce Feiler, Pat Conroy, Cassandra King, and Eric Haney. To date, almost 60 Zona Rosans have become published authors. For further information, see Rosemary’s web page at www.myzonarosa.com.


“Rosemary Daniell is one of the great writing teachers I’ve seen at work in the country.” – Pat Conroy

“Rosemary Daniell is enormously gifted. Her work is risky – in the best sense of the word. She is one of the women by whom our age will be known in times to come.” – Erica Jong

“She has…proved just how earthy, inspiring, and even rapturous her take on the creative process can be.” – People

Reviews

[Dindy]

Loved this book so much that I joined the author's writers group - Zona Rosa. Worth checking out at www.myzonarosa.com to see if there's a "Sub-Rosa" group meeting near you.

[Sarah]

This lady is a gem. Saw her speak in Savannah.

[V.L. Brunskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are three books on writing that I think every writer should read.
1.'On Writing' by Stephen King
2.'Bird by Bird' by Anne Lamott
3.'Secrets of the Zona Rosa' by Rosemary Daniell

I became a member of Zona Rosa after my first book 'Waving Backwards' was published by a tiny press. I wish I had joined sooner. The camaraderie, caring, and assistance in the craft of writing offered by Zona Rosa is life-altering.

Rosemary Daniell is a whirlwind of words, a risk-taker and one of the first Southern feminists. The stories she shares, along with the writing 'exorcises' in this book are insightful, and long-lasting. I have adopted her journaling style and it has changed the way I look at my life, and my writing.

Every female writer should read this book!

[Rosemary Daniell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two copies.. This is a wonderful book, and she is a fabulous teacher who has helped over 350 people become published authors.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book is a great tool for unearthing your inner writer, who may have been buried by years of obligations and daily hassles. Rosemary Daniell's Zona Rosa writing group has a lot of fun writing and sharing their work! Rosemary gives explicit coaching on writing and editing and getting your work "out there." She also motivates with pithy quotes and Zona Rosa "Exorcises," for example: "If I didn't feel guilty, I would..." and "describe the monster inside you who says you can't do it," and "what part does synchronicity play in my life?" She provides all the guidance you need to start your own Zona Rosa (Sub Rosa) group of supportive writers.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book. It inspired me to write again when I was going through a difficult time. It made me remember why I love to write and the aggression/emotions I can release in the process. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys writing. Rosemary Daniell is hilarious and inspiring.

[Joyce Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

What prompted me to write. I can never thank Rosemary and the Secrets of Zona Rosa enough for opening this new world filled with words and writers.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the importance Daniell places on writing-as-process and the need for socialization in what can be a very solitary field.

[Deborah Linker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great self-help book for any one especially women going through a crisis. It encourages writing as an expression and therapy.

[Ellen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

inspirational but I can't stand to put self help as a category on my list.