Pocket Muse 2: Endless Inspiration for Writers

by Monica Wood

Offering an incredible spectrum of writing prompts, photos, and advice, The Pocket Endless Inspiration provides you with the same unique and stimulating approach to writing as the original Pocket Muse--this time, featuring advice for all types of writing including fiction of all genres, nonfiction, and poetry.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

217 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2006

About the author

Monica Wood is the author of four works of fiction, most recently The One-in-a-Million-Boy, which won a 2017 Nautilus Award (Gold) and the 2017 fiction prize from the New England Society in the City of New York. She also is the author of Any Bitter Thing which spent 21 weeks on the American Booksellers Association extended bestseller list and was named a Book Sense Top Ten pick. Her other fiction includes Ernie’s Ark and My Only Story, a finalist for the Kate Chopin Award.

Monica is also the author of When We Were the Kennedys, a memoir of her growing up in Mexico, Maine. The book won the Maine Literary Award for Memoir in 2013, and the Sarton Women's Literary Awards for Memoir in 2012.

Reviews

[S. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As is obvious from the title, this is a sequel (of sorts) of The Pocket Muse, a collection of writing tips, prompts, and inspirations for writers; a place to turn to for a jump start, fresh idea, or new angle. Like the first one, this volume of Pocket Muse includes pictures, poetry, prose, direct advice, and short writing prompts that range from vague to specific. It's a great reference to leaf through to refresh the creative juices, or you can just flip to a random page and treat it as a writing assignment. My only complaint with Pocket Muse 2 is that my copy is composed of glossy paper, and some of the light blue backgrounds give of a shine like gaudy wrapping paper that I personally find ugly and distracting. But that's just me, of course. Other than that, a handy book to have around, and attractively presented.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book at a used book store about a decade ago, rediscovered it a few years ago and started reading it in snatches here and there (which I think is actually how it's designed to be used, as a sort of random inspiration wheel as needed), and now I've finally worked my way through the book in its entirety. It's a wide-ranging collection of prompts, images, quotes, best practices, inspiration, and advice. I marked a number of these pages as useful and worth revisiting, so it certainly has benefits. As a whole, though, I don't see this book impacting or resonating with me in the long-term the way my favorite writing books have, perhaps because it tries to cover so much, and aims for breadth and variety rather than depth.

[Lauren]

Such a little book with so much to say. I really loved because not only does it give the authors opinion and point of view, but you are throw idea after idea for writing. There probably are endless prompts, plus information on agents, publishing, quotes, personal experience. It seems like everything is thrown into the quaint little book. As a writer, it gives you places to start, places to end. It even has ideas for teachers and writing groups of exercises and group activities. Furthermore, it adds in questions as a writer that you can ask yourself about your pieces or have those reviewing answer throughout your drafts.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second Pocket Muse book is a bit more nitty-gritty than the first. There's more tips on publication, and (even) more discussion of the unglamorous side of writing life. But you know, Monica Wood owns this right in the introduction, and explains her reasoning. It's not quite as inspiring as the original book, but I'd say it's just as much of a must-own for wordsmiths, as it definitely gets the motivation going and has some very valuable information.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy-to-read compilation of quotes, prompts, information, and advice, full to the brim with inspiration and good cheer. As someone who loves to read and write, I found this book quite motivational and a source of many ideas, and consider it to be a good resource for beginning writers to fall back on.

[Joaquin Orellana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little motivational quick read for anyone looking to write or improve their writing.

[Olivia Meek · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is absolutely no inspiration in this "endless inspiration" book!

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most useful tool in the poetry world

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an aesthetically pleasing book to look at that contains advice and inspiring prompts for writers. It has great vignettes, quotes from authors, pictures, and prompts. Sprinkled throughout the book are tips on revision and style, too.

As writers we all sometimes need inspiration, and I found this to be more innovative and palatable than many other books out there. As teachers we often struggle with providing our students with authentic writing prompts that will engage them. This is a great little resource for both scenarios.

[Megbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really made me get off my rear and start writing again. It's short and to the point, and thats what I need. I don't want a lot of mumbo jumbo telling me how to get my mind going. Give me ideas, and I'll put my own twists on them.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the author notes, this is a book more about dealing with frustration and writer's block than her other books on the topic--because the author was experiencing that at the time. So there's a sense of frustration to a lot of it--could be helpful for someone else in the same situation, though...

[Reba Reads]

Re-reading The Pocket Muse #1 and reading this one, its sequel, for the first time this month for Story a Day in May. I'm going to read all the prompts, write daily off my choice of them, and update this review with my favorite prompt at the end of May. Happy #SADIM!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

And a second book with photographs and writing tips & inspiration designed to please the eye with nice graphic design. Good stuff.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a book to own.

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this little series. If she continues with these types of books I will buy every single one.

[Ashley Thompson]

The Pocket Muse Endless Inspiration: New Ideas for Writing (No. 2) by Monica Wood (2006)

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was more of how-to-write instead of writing inspiration, but the advice is really good. Really liked it, and it is settled next to the first one in reach on my bed.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this. I connected with it more than I have most other books or sources of prompts or inspiration. This would be great in a school, too.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intersting writing prompts and motivational lessons for readers. More thoughts here: http://eyesandearsblog.blogspot.com/2...

[Debi]

Book two of The Pocket Muse...only two...I wish this author would write MORE.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

another great book for overcoming writer's block. more tips, prompts and pictures to help

[Hairil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good accompaniment/sequel to the first issue.

[Laura Guilbault · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, like the first Pocket Muse, has a ton of inspiration for writers.
There were pictures, quotes, and inspirational texts that helped me with writer's block.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first - even if you probably only need one. :)