The Writer Laid Bare: Emotional honesty in a writer's art, craft and life

by Lee Kofman

The Writer Laid Bare is a book for everyone who loves the craft of  good writing. Be they a voracious reader wanting to know more or  an emerging writer themselves, best-selling author and writing coach Lee Kofman has distilled her wisdom, insight and passion into this  guide to writing and emotional honesty. 

A combination of raw memoir and a professional writing toolkit, Lee examines her own life, rich in story and emotion to reveal how committing to a truthful writing practice helped her conquer  writer’s block and develop her own authentic voice. 

‘Show don’t tell’ has never been so compelling. 

Inspired by her popular writing courses, Lee also offers practical  advice on drafts, edits and how to achieve a life/writing balance.   How combining her writing with motherhood led her to recognise that ‘ the pram in the hall’ issue is real. 

Plus the ultimate reading list of books you really should read, from Chekhov to Elena Ferrante and Helen Garner. 

‘The Writer Laid Bare takes us on an intimate journey into the magical, and often challenging, terrain an author inhabits. Kofman courageously shares with the reader her own  probing writerly journey of self-discovery.’ - Leah Kaminsky 

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2022

About the author

Lee Kofman is the author of 6 books, including the latest, The Writer Laid Bare, as well as creative nonfiction works Imperfect (2019, Affirm Press), which was shortlisted for Nib Literary Award and The Dangerous Bride (2014, Melbourne University Press), editor of Split: True stories of leaving, loss & new beginnings (2019, Ventura Press), an anthology of personal essays longlisted for ABIA 2020 and co-editor of Rebellious Daughters (2016, Ventura Press), an anthology of prominent Australian memoirists. Her short works have been widely published in Australia, UK, Scotland, Israel, Canada and US, including in Best Australian Stories, Best Australian Essays, Griffith Review, Malahat Review and Creative Nonfiction. . Her blog was a finalist for Best Australian Blogs 2014.
Lee has been mentoring writers and teaching creative writing courses since 2003. Her blog about creative processes The Writing Life was a finalist for Best Australian Blogs 2014.
More at www.leekofman.com.au
You can also follow her on Twitter @LeeKofman or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Lee-Kofman-3...

Reviews

[Cassie Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read for anyone who wants to write or is simply interested in the process. Lee Kofman takes us to the centre of her writerly mind in a book that is deeply personal but also quite instructive. It's so reassuring to hear from an author who loves what she does but also finds it immensely difficult. As an author, it made me feel less alone in the thoughts and feelings I have about the challenge of the work. At the same times, there are some excellent craft tips about specificity, dialogue and structure.

[Warren Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure. I read a few pages every day before I write and it never fails to get me in the zone. Before consulting this book I was in a rut going though the motions with my writing. This book helped me get to the beating heart of what I wanted to write. Thank you Lee - such a fine, timeless, precious companion for writers at all levels.

[Rochelle Siemienowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this book highly enough for anyone interested in books and the process of writing, as well as the social dilemmas of being a writer in community with others.

Lee candidly offers her own experiences and crises from her writing life, working across several languages and cultures and genres, while also drawing on writers from history. She gives great literary examples, anecdotes and reading recommendations. It's all delivered in delicious prose with a wry, self-deprecating humour.

The most inspiring lesson from The Writer Laid Bare is that there are infinite ways to be a good (and emotionally honest) writer, and you must find the unique way that works for you. There's a very good reason why Lee is a sought-after writing mentor and this book is the next best thing to working with her.

[Rania T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow Lee Kofman's sage advice, "To write is to read." This book is an in-depth account of the writer, in whatever capacity they appear to the rest of the world in. I would highly recommend this book to that writer, who writes about normal people and conversations with friends because they could really benefit from the intellect and insight that Kofman has about the craft. A must read.

[Neens West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great stuff on the importance of 'voice' in writing and how to nail.

Favourite takeaway was a requote from Annie Dillard: "A work in progress quickly becomes feral... It is a lion you cage in your study... You must visit it every day and reassert your mastery over it. If you skip a day, you are, quite rightly, afraid to open the door to its room."

And so, I am reminded to visit my own writing every day!

[Emma Gables · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book and just what I needed, it came to me exactly at the right time. Lee is so clever, wise, funny and thoughtful. I highly recommend this book to all writers. Lee is masterful!!

[Matthew Goodrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Writer Laid Bare' is a generous gift to the world. Wisdom oozes through the pages.

Lee's keen powers of self-reflection are what make me appreciate her not only as a writer, but also as a human being.

I look forward to reading her future works, and would highly recommend this book to anyone committed to truthful, heartfelt writing.

[Mary-Clare Terrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The self-sufficient solitude, and the temporary quietening and focusing of the mind that writing, like prayer, affords...'

The Writer Laid Bare explores why we write: what it gives the writer. It insists upon reading and dreaming as part of an essential practice. Personal, intelligent, literary and always about the art, Kofman's take is full of wisdom while refusing to definitively simplify the writing life.

Ultimately, The Writer Laid Bare soothes the soul, offering a calmness for the impatient, possibly dispirited artist; an understanding in how writing and life may, and can, come together.

[Jenny Toune · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, straight-talking, in-your-face guide to the craft of writing. Kofman shares her own writing journey with humour & honesty - felt like she was allowing me to sit in on her own literary salon.
I'm not an avid "how-to" reader, but would definitely recommend this one!

[Sarah Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Writer Laid Bare” by Lee Kofman is a frank and reassuring examination of the trials and tribulations of the writing process and the inner thoughts of the average writer. Kofman reflects on her personal experiences, writing successes and failures to describe the processes involved in developing an individual writing style, managing paranoia, disappointments and fear, and breaking through to provide honesty in writing, regardless of genre.

For me, the discovery of “The Writer Laid Bare” was very much a case of the right book at the right time. I found the book and its contents reassuring. I was able to relate to almost everything said and was relieved to find that my bouts of crippling self-doubt, fear of rejection and imposter syndrome are standard states for most writers.

I would recommend this book to all writers, anyone planning to take on the writing journey and all those with interest in the world of literature.

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever stage you may be at in your writing career, or even if you are contemplating diving into writing, this book should be on your reading list.

Lee Kofman provides practical advice on how to approach your writing adventure. And an adventure it will be with triumphs, failures, joy, frustration, desolation, insight and hope all invading your head at some time when writing anything from short stories to novels.

I found the chapters on Writing as Layering, Taming the Lion, Voice is Style and Writing Emotions so helpful for me. The sections on Roadblocks to Honesty and Honesty in the Writer's Life offer advice on how you might structure your writing and how to carve out time to write while life goes on.

Such an insightful book and one where I had more than a few lightbulb moments.

[Karen Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a searingly honest book on the agony and ecstasy of writing and is suitable for beginner and experienced writers, and writers who need motivating. Part memoir, part craft advice, Lee lays bare for readers her own struggles with severe writers block, writing as in immigrant grappling with a new language and culture, rejection, and gives us practical and actionable guidance to overcoming obstacles and establishing a fruitful writing practice, incorporating advice from famed authors on their own writing practices. I found the author quotes throughout the book incredibly affirming! (e.g. William Styron - ”Let’s face it, writing is hell.”)

Lee’s honesty, and the quotes from authors, also boosted my confidence. Now I feel motivated to re-establish a regular writing schedule and begin work on my next book. I’ll definitely start with Lee’s writing prompts! Thank you, Lee.

[Jane Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at a respectfully leisurely pace, determined not to miss a thing, incentivised by Lee's words. This book puts many mechanical 'how to write' ones, to shame. Lee's honesty is reassuring and her struggles relatable. I plan to revisit her sage advice often, as well as examine some of the many other literary gems referenced throughout. A probing, insightful, thoughtful dissection and analysis of the strange layers and depths of the writing process, with ideas on how, why, when, and where to take on the addictive monster writers sometimes hate to love. It's a pleasure to highly recommend this fine work to my writers' group.

[Shannon Anima · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have writer’s craft book with guidance for the new writer, and for the seasoned writer an erudite and entertaining discussion of the habits and writing advice of the best writers past and present. Lee Kofman writes with candour about her own process and guides the aspiring writer to reach toward the heat of emotional honesty to ignite their writing.

[Derek Pedley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Writer Laid Bare was like a friend at my shoulder throughout the intensive - and intense - redrafting of my memoir, CRAZY BASTARD. I love Lee's voice, her vulnerability and her voluminous literary knowledge. This book sits comfortably next to Stephen King's On Writing and Mary Karr's The Art of Memoir, and, like those titles, is now my friend for life.

[Lucinda Bain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully honest and engaging book for anyone interested in writing and the writer’s life. The Writer Laid Bare is an intimate guide covering all manner of topics from reading as a writer and carving out space in (no matter what kind of) life, to dialogue, voice, motherhood and emotion. I will certainly be returning to it again and again.

[John Tesarsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautifully written, erudite, heartfelt and thought-provoking. There surely isn’t another book quite like it. I will keep on my bookshelf as a reference and no doubt return to it time and again in future.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with Kofman’s insight that writers find writing hard because they know the weight and significance of words. This resonated with me. I also enjoyed her anecdotes about teaching writing, although at times the suffering and pain of writing was laboured. This is a well researched and highly intellectual reflection on the craft of writing. It would perhaps have been useful to have read some of Kofman’s other books first.

[Kylie Moppert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous study and reference book about writing. Divided into chapters headed according the process she's examining, with lots of examples of various writers' approaches, this is a book I will return to.

[Sonia Bellhouse]

A fellow writer recommended this to me, as I was stuck with what I was writing. I read it from cover to cover, unfortunately, I didn’t feel a spark of recognition or inspiration. It's not my book. It may be yours

[Mersija Ilic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book- great for anyone who is writing a book, who is struggling to find their voice as a writer like I am. I have read a few books on writing over the years but this one spoke to me like no other.

[Dalit Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful guide for writers. I am so grateful for the wisdom the author shared. It was practical yet philosophical; funny yet filled with substance.

Highly recommend!

[Jennifer Zeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful, inspirational writing book with Kofman's memoir chops added in. Read and re-read.