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The Writer's Survival Guide
Book by Simon, Rachel
184 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Simon
22 books341 followersRachel Simon is the author of six books.
The Story of Beautiful Girl
The House On Teacher's Lane
Riding The Bus With My Sister
The Writer's Survival Guide
The Magic Touch
Little Nightmares Little Dreams
In 2005, Hallmark Hall of Fame adapted Riding The Bus With My Sister for a film by the same name. It starred Rosie O'Donnell as Rachel's sister Beth and Andie MacDowell as Rachel, and it was directed by Anjelica Huston.
NPR adapted the title story from Little Nightmares, Little Dreams for the program "Selected Shorts," which was also adapted for an episode of the Lifetime program "The Hidden Room." The short story "Paint," from the same book, was adapted for the stage by The Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia, PA.
Rachel is one of the only authors to have been selected twice for the Barnes & Noble Discover New Writers Program, once in fiction and once in nonfiction. She has received a Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's Recognition Award from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, for contributions to the field of disability. Among Rachel's other awards have been two creative writing fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts, three creative writing fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and a fiction fellowship from the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation.
Rachel Simon went to high school at Solebury School, a small, co-ed boarding school in New Hope, PA. She then attended Bryn Mawr College, graduating with a degree in Anthropology in 1981.
Rachel's jobs have included being a community relations manager at a large bookstore, and a creative writing teacher at several colleges. She now makes her living as a writer and a speaker on topics related to disability.
Rachel Simon lives in Delaware with her husband, the architect Hal Dean.
The Story of Beautiful Girl
The House On Teacher's Lane
Riding The Bus With My Sister
The Writer's Survival Guide
The Magic Touch
Little Nightmares Little Dreams
In 2005, Hallmark Hall of Fame adapted Riding The Bus With My Sister for a film by the same name. It starred Rosie O'Donnell as Rachel's sister Beth and Andie MacDowell as Rachel, and it was directed by Anjelica Huston.
NPR adapted the title story from Little Nightmares, Little Dreams for the program "Selected Shorts," which was also adapted for an episode of the Lifetime program "The Hidden Room." The short story "Paint," from the same book, was adapted for the stage by The Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia, PA.
Rachel is one of the only authors to have been selected twice for the Barnes & Noble Discover New Writers Program, once in fiction and once in nonfiction. She has received a Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's Recognition Award from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, for contributions to the field of disability. Among Rachel's other awards have been two creative writing fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts, three creative writing fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and a fiction fellowship from the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation.
Rachel Simon went to high school at Solebury School, a small, co-ed boarding school in New Hope, PA. She then attended Bryn Mawr College, graduating with a degree in Anthropology in 1981.
Rachel's jobs have included being a community relations manager at a large bookstore, and a creative writing teacher at several colleges. She now makes her living as a writer and a speaker on topics related to disability.
Rachel Simon lives in Delaware with her husband, the architect Hal Dean.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 2, 2010
This is one of those writing books that isn't big on practical tips about the nuts and bolts of writing, but it is a thorough exploration of the kinds of emotional upheavals writers are likely to go through, and offers useful advice on how to weather them. Suitable for complete beginners through to those already published, Simon has given me much food for thought. I particularly liked her analysis of the real reason for the dreaded writer's block.
Recommended, but only if you're like me and enjoy reading about the process of writing.
Recommended, but only if you're like me and enjoy reading about the process of writing.
July 10, 2024
The exact book that I was looking for. Focuses on the emotional and mental side of trying to become a writer. I especially love what she wrote about egolessness and hearing your inner voice. There is so much about writing that is technical but that one is mastered through practice of the craft.
Writing can bring up all these other emotional issues and it’s own set of mental strains - this book teaches you some ways of how to work through them, offers insightful perspectives and reminds you that writing is a joy and it’s own immense reward.
Writing can bring up all these other emotional issues and it’s own set of mental strains - this book teaches you some ways of how to work through them, offers insightful perspectives and reminds you that writing is a joy and it’s own immense reward.
March 8, 2021
Part writer’s survival guide and part DIY therapy book, this is quite different from any other how-to-write book I’ve ever read before. Rather than regurgitate the technical advice that I’ve encountered in many an online article and dull workshop lecture, Simons emphasizes the emotional, spiritual, and psychological effects of the writing process.
This is something I never knew I needed. I initially borrowed this as an e-book from my library but after a few chapters, I knew I had to buy a copy for myself to stick my own notes in. Simon hits on pretty much every phase of the writerly cycle, making what feels like a lonely journey into one spiritually joined adventure to all other writers before and after me. I know I a harrowing journey ahead, but now I feel more equipped to overcome any obstacle that I come across.
This is something I never knew I needed. I initially borrowed this as an e-book from my library but after a few chapters, I knew I had to buy a copy for myself to stick my own notes in. Simon hits on pretty much every phase of the writerly cycle, making what feels like a lonely journey into one spiritually joined adventure to all other writers before and after me. I know I a harrowing journey ahead, but now I feel more equipped to overcome any obstacle that I come across.
October 8, 2017
An analytical, empowering book that I have read a page or two at a time to motivate myself to begin writing again.
November 22, 2022
This woman gets it.
March 29, 2015
This was a practical and edifying read. Definitely worth the time for anyone who's serious about writing.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews