The Five-Minute Writer: Exercise and inspiration in creative writing in five minutes a day

by Margret Geraghty

Suitable for writers, this title includes chapters that offers a writing-related discussion, followed by a five-minute exercise. Five minutes a day spent on an exercise is one of the most effective methods there is to expand your potential and develop self-discipline.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sue Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read through all the sections of this excellent and thought provoking book, and worked on many of the exercises, I can say for certain that it does as it says in the introduction - helping you explore the power and possibilities of the written word.

It's packed full of ways to get you writing and thinking about how to write in different ways. This includes using the power of ritual, making lists, recalling feelings and experiences, establishing a daily writing routine, exploring 'what if' scenarios, writing about what characters do next, developing plots, creating emotional impact, stimulating ideas, writing dramatic openings, and much more.

I like to keep this book handy for days when I can't think of anything to write, or I just feel like letting my mind flow into words. Having something to write about is so helpful and so freeing, you can let yourself go and with Margaret's guidance, learn so much about writing and how to develop your own personal writing style in the process.

[Hashna Begum · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book made me feel even more opinionated in my current musings. It was cathartic reading in a note taking within a book that taught me so many things. First published in 2006 with a kindle edition in 2012. I love journal notes as per Robin Sharma The Mastery Manual often revealing things that would raise others eyebrows. In I fit this label of repression of do not tell to even be criticized. So often it is seemingly an emotion of anger but meant to be kind and preventative.

Wikipedia corrected a word from mediaeval to medieval before I finished the book. The writer does not need to amend it as it is still in the definition. I love a fast response in it tested my eyesight.

A poltergeist moment came with a V for Paste, : for example and the language Hindi showing when it was not the language in my note taking. I made a mother tongue only spoken sound out in English. I felt like I had a nosey reading twin. I preserved to finish the book for the last line.

I liked the words unguents, sumptuosity (Rhokett cheesecake), capacious, synaesthetes, metier and permutations as not everyday language for me. I will re-read the book some time in the future for writing practice.I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I wish I read the book before writing my own books Pivotal Family Bereavement and Third Face Stress Management. If I was honest I would not amend what I had written but many other writers would disagree in a follow through aspect or a revision even to number pages.

The last line was When the Bough Breaks without the many authors with this book title. It prompted a recall of a book with the title by Judith R Bernstein a book about child loss.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for anyone wanting ideas and prompts for creative writing. There are 58 short chapters, each one with some explanations and suggestions for following different paths to creativity. Written in an authoritative yet informal style, the topics covered are diverse, calling on biographical or other details in the reader's mind to experiment with brief writing scenes or lists.

Not a book to read from cover to cover, but one to dip into regularly when needing inspiration in small doses. Highly recommended.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's difficult to do precise page updates for this book as I dipped in and out of it rather than doing the activities in order. I didn't do all of them, but I like the relaxed manner and the fact that most of them are fairly short as the title suggests. With some of the activities, you can go back and redo them which is good as you can take one prompt one day and another next time, depending on mood. It's good for getting the creativity going and has some practical advice as well.

I found the second book from the library today so will get started on that now :)

[Sidharth Kriplani]

This is the book I really needed to get going with wanting to write. The exercises undoubtedly are useful and can be enconced in quick five minute capsules everyday. In fact, this is a great headstart for beginner writers too, in my opinion. A perfect bible to direct a writer on their path to mastering their vocation.

[Alberto Tebaldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book provides good nuggets for writing. I didn't really do the exercises as I'm not starting writing yet but got some good insights.

[KT Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and wonderful exercises! I’ve tried several and it was fascinatingly rewarding.

[Yates Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful text if you are in a creative writing group looking for exercises to do. I really live the fact that it is nonlinear / open whatever page and get writing.

[Sai Shen Zin Mao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice try it if you want

[Gabriel Dragiev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for aspiring writers with lots of excellent writing exercises.

[Paul Botterill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was excellent. It provide many creative writing exercises to help you improve your skills and understanding of what works well and what does not.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book if you want to practice your writing. It gives you, chapter by chapter, inspiration and writing exercises, all doable in 5 minutes (you can take longer if you want, of course...). The topics are geared towards giving you an all-round kind of practice, covering many topics from "Playing tag in the schoolyard" (exercise: free association of concrete nouns with abstract concepts, i.e. "Life is...") to "250 words on something" (exercise: take a minute to write down the most boring topics you can think of, then write 250 words about the most boring of those).

I use this book when I'm stuck with something, when a WIP is giving me trouble or my plot are hopelessly tangled or I just can't think of anything at all. This way, I write something, limber up those writing muscles and usually get myself back on track. So for me, this book is a pretty reliable cure to writer's block...you can imagine how treasured it is, I'm sure.

If you're the kind of person who can use writing exercises (that will probably be most of you writers out there, but as they say in Germany, Exceptions Prove the Rule), I can definately recommend this book to you.

[Seemy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess this was an ok book for it’s purpose - some good insights to how to get your creative juices flowing particularly if writing for non fiction - but some good tips to apply the techniques to non fiction writing too - just incredibly boring read though and kinda repetitive - felt like going through a textbook Vs book :(

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[Deborah Mantle · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The five-minute writer’ contains 58 activities to get you thinking more creatively and, of course, writing. An experienced creative writing teacher, Margret Geraghty draws on multi-disciplinary research – from psychology, sociology, art, advertising and film – for her activity ideas.

The exercises have been designed for writers who have limited time. As the title implies, you only need five minutes a day for creativity to flow. But once I started reading through the background to each activity and the exercise itself, I found myself fascinated, moving to the next one, then the next, thinking and noting down ideas, my mind heading in many directions.

This is a great, easy to use book for any creative writer who wants to think a little differently and develop their writing. It would also prove useful for people who run creative writing classes or participate in writing groups.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently purchased this book due to having problems in terms of writers block and the lack of ideas to start my writing off. I have to say this was money very well spent, not only did it present me with ideas, or at least give me the start to form my own ideas, it also helped enhance my writing, making it very more professional as well as better linguistically. For any writer I would recommend this book, who either needs help with linguistics or even just ideas.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very wonderful read! It's full of creative-writing ideas and exercises that you can dip into whenever you feel like you need a touch of inspiration. I have a slight obsession with 'how to write' books (they fill my commuting days!)and this is one of many that fed my thirst. I recommend this to any author.

[Nicole Schum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book and the follow-up one, I have found many great exercises in it ,and I use them to facilitate creative writing groups. Many of the activities can be adapted to suit groups of varying levels, and most are fun and inspiring and we have a great time playing around with the ideas. Really good for helping you overcome various hurdles and blocks, and just to get your creativity flowing.

[S. Spelbring · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for brainstorming ideas and improving your skill. Lots of writing exercises for when you are stuck.

[Alison Flower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with some useful excercise in it. well worth getting if you are new to the frellance world!

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

No self- (or otherwise) proclaimed writer should be without this book. Need a kick-start? This is it.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really creative and interesting ideas in here.