Thinking Write: The Secret to Freeing Your Creative Mind

by Kelly L. Stone

Writer’s block.Creative freeze.Artistic burnout. In this book, professional counselor Kelly L. Stone teaches you how to use the power of the subconscious mind to capitalize on your writing sessions. Proven techniques for accessing this hidden tool are revealed with a mix of anecdotes, exercises, and guided meditations. You will hear from well-known and award-winning authors such as Jacquelyn Mitchard and Stephanie Losee and how they utilize these methods. Writers—both professional and aspiring—will take

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Reba Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non-spoiler summary in one sentence: A self-help book geared toward wanna-be writers spouting advice for creative productivity based on pseudo-psychological science.

Initial thoughts: I bought this one on a whim and have been reading it on and off for years. I was initially intrigued by the sample I read in the bookstore and had high hopes the rest of the book would be just as intriguing.

Genre(s) IMHO: Nonfiction, self-help, psychology

Writing style: So-so.

Conclusion: What this book has going for it that other 'self-help for writers' books don't is a totally different perspective. It focuses on how to get your brain ready to write - not how to write - and this perspective is extremely refreshing. I plan to take some of this book's advice to heart - sound ideas like creating a writing routine, a space to do your writing, and overall trying to be more positive. However, I don't plan to follow all of its advice; some tips were based on flaky science and seemed to lack the kind of evidence I'd expect a good nonfiction book to cite. Some methods sounded downright spiritual, which may be surprising to the reader who picks this up based on its cover's description (the psychology of 'thinking write').

This book may be some people's cup o' tea, but I'd understand why many readers wouldn't be able to get through it.

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw Thinking Write on a shelf in the Augusta, Maine Barnes and Noble, I was struck by the descriptive phrase on its cover: “the secret to freeing your creative mind”. Also on the cover was a birdcage with a typewriter nestled inside it with the cage door wide open. I think something about this image struck a cord with me - the idea of freedom, expression, and creativity and the thought of achieving these wonderful things. This book is helping me do just that.

The author, Kelly L. Stone, a licensed mental health counselor and writer, dives into the science of the brain and the conscious and subconscious mind. The book is divided into three distinct parts: Your Incredible Mind, Accessing Your Subconscious Mind, and Programming Your Subconscious Mind. The layout of the book is very helpful and Stone’s friendly yet informative language is definitely a plus.

The book talks a lot about relaxation and how to obtain it. We all have such busy lives filled with scheduled activities, and learning about how to find time to actually sit down and write has helped me so much - even thought I have only had this book for three weeks.

The book comes with an instructive CD with guided meditations specifically made for writers. I have yet to try out these meditations, but if they are anywhere near as good as the book, they should be great and extremely useful in tapping into the subconscious mind in order to write.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has difficultly focusing and setting aside time to write. Heck, I’m sure everybody could learn something from it. I got it for seventeen dollars at Barnes and Noble, which is on the expensive side of things for me, but I’m sure on Amazon it is less expensive. Check it out here and buy it here.

[Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly Stone wrote an interesting book on practical ways to try and tap in to the subconscious mind for creative purposes. She does a good job of giving a small discussion on the 3 parts of the mind and what the function of each is. Most of the book is spent on ways that writers (or any creative persons for that matter) can access the vast storehouse of information and observations that the subconscious mind holds. Most of the methods are relaxation techniques, akin to meditation and self-hypnosis. I look forward to trying some of the techniques on a longer term basis to see if they do help. Already I experiencing some interesting dreams as I use her techniques to remember, record, and even encourage dreams. I will be re-reading this book over the next few weeks as I try to incorporate the techniques in my daily life.

[Stephanie Lawton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed to jumpstart my stalled writing. I've heard the author speak twice to regional writing groups, and I'm so glad I finally picked up THINKING WRITE. Start to finish, it's filled with ways to get creative and tap into your subconscious (your muse) to get the solutions you need to writing issues. Additionally, many of the techniques she teaches can be applied to other aspects of your life, not just writing.

My only small complaint is that some of the sections, especially near the end, devolve into kindergarten projects (we don't need to be told to get markers, scissors, glitter, etc. to make a collage).

But on the whole, this was very eye-opening and well-written, well-organized, well-researched. I'll be returning to this book and browsing certain sections as the need arises. Great stuff!

[Sean Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative and inspiring for me. Kelly Stone offers plenty of advice for aspiring writers including ways to meditate for creativity, methods for getting into a productive state of mind and provisions of wisdom from other successful authors. The techniques discussed in the book have helped me get through writer's block and have stimulated my imagination beyond any other self-help book I've read thus far. The things I learned from this book were well worth the price I paid for it. I highly recommend it to anyone who hopes to pick up a few more tips to enhance their craft.

[Naomi Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes a psychological look at writers and how to become a better writer. I was slow with it in the beginning but sped up while reading the second half. There are plenty of good tips and tricks to try. I lost the accompanying CD and so can't get the full benefit. The focus is harnessing the subconscious and freeing yourself up to write. Not a bad book at all.

[Rosalind M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the tips will be repetitive to anyone with a collection of writer's references, but THINKING WRITE does offer some good advice on how to tap into your subconscious mind and why that's important to your creativity.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author sets forth that writing originates in the sub-concious mind. The book discusses the different level of awareness in the mind and ways to reach each. Relaxation techniques are suggested. as well as a CD-ROM. Tips for overcoming writer's block are provided.

[Garrett Dunnington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very weak method. Didn't get a lot out of it. It taught nothing I didn't already know.

[Vmichelle Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the non-linear approach to using other parts of your mind to stir up some inspiration.

[Anita Agers-Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and different ways to inspire yourself to get busy and write that book!

[Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately this wasn't as helpful as I had hope.

[Tyler Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the stuff in here sounds kinda crazy and made up, (like she even says she uses a crystal ball for writing ideas) but there's also a lot of helpful writing ideas too. Rating: 3.5 stars.