Writing from the Heart: Inspirations and Exercises for Women Who Want to Write

by Lesléa Newman

Writing From The Heart is a book for women who want to write but think they have nothing to say, or women who know they have something to say but don't know how to say it. Now hear every woman has important stories to tell and the ability to tell them. It is human nature to fear the unknown, but just as your own life is certainly not a blank page, you can learn how to fill many blank pages with your inspirations, your fantasies, your monsters, your rhymes. Begin your grand adventure here.....with Writing From The Heart.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

198 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 1993

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.