Write from the Heart: Unleashing the Power of Your Creativity

by Hal Zina Bennett

In his first edition of Write from the Heart, Hal Zina Bennett presented a spiritual approach to writing that showed both beginners and seasoned authors how to overcome blocks, unleash their creative voice, and see their books into print. In this edition, he gives readers an even more interactive experience by incorporating exercises he’s developed during his many years conducting workshops. An all-new chapter on supportive critiquing shows readers how to make contacts in the all-important community of writers and how to get help with the process of writing and refining.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Born in Detroit, I lived in Birmingham, a suburb of Detroit, until the age of 12, when we moved north to a small village on Deer Lake. I became interested in writing during high school but didn't take it seriously until I was in my twenties when a publisher became interested in my writing on alternative education. My first book was published jointly by Random House and Bookworks, a small California publisher. Title: "No More Public School." It was moderately successful, giving parents throughout the U.S. tips on homeschooling or setting up small parent-co-op private schools. This lead to a series of collaborations with Mike Samuels, MD, on wellness and health, notably "The Well Body Book," which was an international bestseller. My own books have included books on personal and spiritual growth, such as "Follow Your Bliss," on right livelihood, "Spirit Animals and The Wheel of Life," "Zuni Fetishes," and a series of three books on creativity and writing, including the bestselling "Write From the Heart." Published fiction includes "Spirit Circle" and "Backland Graces: Four Novellas." I have ghost written or collaborated on at least a dozen other books, including "The Holotropic Mind," with Stan Grof, MD and "Change Your Questions, Change Your Life," for Marilee Adams, Ph.D. I continue to coach and teach other writers and consult on publishing choices.

Reviews

[Judy Croome · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm mix of spiritual philosophy, writing techniques and personal anecdotes, WRITE FROM THE HEART is a master coach teaching by example.

Hal Zina Bennett gently leads the reader through an exploration of both solitude and creativity. While he acknowledges the need for technical expertise, Bennett always focuses on the connection between a writer’s creativity and the Divine Source that inspires the creative work. With examples that ground the spiritual explorations in a practical reality, Bennett shows how this Divine connection links a writer’s consciousness with that of reader’s and ultimately transforms them both.

Bennett reminds authors of an important facet of writing too often forgotten in a world where modern technology makes writing a book almost too easy: writing a book is not about fame, fortune and technical perfection. Yes, he says, those are fortunate benefits writers secretly dream of…but, Bennett constantly reminds us, a truly creative writer is the one who taps into the soul and writes from deep within that mysterious source.

In equal parts easy to read and inspiring, this writing guide is one every writer, no matter where they are on their writing path, should read. Writers who follow these guidelines are sure to produce stories that touch readers where it counts: in the heart.

[Marianne Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've underlined several passages and dog-eared many pages. All of which tells me there's much in this book I will use or be influenced by in the future. There are exercises at the end of the chapters which I did not do but that may be helpful in a classroom situation.

Especially helpful for fiction writers. Lots of advice on where stories come from and how to look within yourself for material you may not even realize is there. Gets a bit "new-age-y" at times, especially in the last third of the book. That was distracting for me and not very useful but still much in this book to recommend.

[Denise Tarasuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I read this book over many moons as I kept reading and re-reading. There are lots of little surprises in this wonderful, "Write From The Heart.” This book is a keeper and touched my heart as I am sure it will touch yours! Thank you, Hal Zina Bennett for sharing your life, your stories, and filling my heart with joy.
Dr. Denise Tarasuk

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a few ideas about where creativity comes from that I had not yet read. I would suggest it for anyone who wishes to write and wants some guidance.

[Tom Britz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine book on the writing craft. It reads like part memoir and how to. It teaches that writing is a deeply spiritual practice.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guy gets it. Very few of these how-to-write books are worth the bother, but this one actually has something to say.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great reference for finding creativity and who you are as a writer.

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of books about the craft of writing in the late 1990s/early 2000s. I must have liked this book because I did try some of the exercises/writing prompts from it.

[Lorna Stuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good thought-provoking context, useful writing exercises.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to rate this book... there were chapters that gave me new insight into the creative process and other parts that made me feel like I got stuck sitting next to the wrong person on the bus. I didn't particularly enjoy the autobiographical parts, particularly reading page after page about the author's dreams. Also, his brand of new-age spirituality was a bit much - in particular, the part about the Powwow at Stanford University, was impossible for me to read in one sitting because of all the eye-rolling I had to do. Then again, his peyote trips were kind of a hoot.

The parts where this book really shines is when the author gives practical, straightforward suggestions for bringing your unique perspective and passions to writing and relating to the reader on a personal level. In particular, I enjoyed the chapter "Higher Creativity and the Essential Wound" where the author discusses the poignancy of transformation, the often painful point where the writer outgrows one mold of how the world works and is forced to take a broader view. That chapter was a well-needed reminder for how to write with insight, perspective and feeling about subjects that matter most.

Throughout the book, the author makes terrific observations about the connection between the writer and the reader. For example, he suggests writing to one person directly, having a clear idea who you are writing to, and writing as if the entire book is an ongoing discourse between you and the other person. This is a great technique for keeping your writing voice consistent, personable and emotionally accessible to the reader.

It was worth wading through the author's self involved fixations about his dreams, and his sessions with his Freudian shrink about what his dreams meant, and his misgivings about his childhood and all the wu-wu stuff to get to the good parts. All things considered...three and a half stars.

[Jobie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might read this again. I will definitely use this as a resource.

It’s well written and easy to read. He backs up all his points with details from experience: his own and often his students. All the advice is very practical as well as universally useful. I would say it’s elementary or advanced but good solid exercises that relate to the points.

The exercises take some thinking and some time (they aren’t simple) but they are well worth the effort. I would also say they are the type of exercises you could do every 2-3 years and they would be helpful and revelatory.

[H.S. Palladino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Although it now has some outdated (and maybe not relevant to everyone) information in the last chapter about publishing, I overall think it is a great book with loads of valuable information to help you find your inner voice in writing.

[Amanda Witt]

A good little book, that informs people who may not know the subject so well, and describes the author's personal life experiences along the way.
Quotes from famous/notable authors are in the margins every few pages.