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Writing Motherhood: Tapping Into Your Creativity as a Mother and a Writer
Counsels women on how to develop their creative writing and parenting skills simultaneously, outlining a step-by-step program for drawing on one's experiences of motherhood in order to find literary inspiration, in a guide that also shares uplifting stories from the author's writing workshops. 40,000 first printing.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2007
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171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 21, 2009
This book, for me, is up there with "Gift from the Sea." Let me explain...
I have highlighted, dog-eared, read and re-read so many passages that I am certain this will be a book I revisit over the years. I LOVE the author's notion of keeping a "Mother's Notebook" where you jot down conversation, quotes, expressions, and party ideas ALONG WITH weighing decisions, rehearsing answers, venting anger, and asking questions -- essentially, catching the days of your life notebook after notebook. I read it because I like to stay tuned into writers; however, what I got out of this was a whole new way to appreciate and capture the days of my life as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend...in my own voice.
I have highlighted, dog-eared, read and re-read so many passages that I am certain this will be a book I revisit over the years. I LOVE the author's notion of keeping a "Mother's Notebook" where you jot down conversation, quotes, expressions, and party ideas ALONG WITH weighing decisions, rehearsing answers, venting anger, and asking questions -- essentially, catching the days of your life notebook after notebook. I read it because I like to stay tuned into writers; however, what I got out of this was a whole new way to appreciate and capture the days of my life as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend...in my own voice.
December 14, 2014
This book was a delight as well as a monumental help. I will be keeping this book within quick reach while writing. It's filled with gems. I'm so glad I ran across this one.
April 11, 2010
I picked this book up because Ali Edwards (www.aliedwards.com) recommended it to help you become a better scrapbook journaler and to "tell your story" as a mother.
I liked the fact that this author didn't assume that simply because I was reading this book, I was going to attempt to become a professional and published author. She simply wants you to record your story. Your story as a mother. Your story of the good and bad with children. Your story of before you were a mother and how you got to the point you are at in your life.
This book includes great writing prompts and ideas on how to use them in your "Mother's Journal". It also provides examples of writing from other mothers. It's nice to know that I'm not the only Mom feeling these ways.
Now that I have read this book, I hope to become inspired to use some of the prompts for my blog, which I use as my "Mommy Journal".
I liked the fact that this author didn't assume that simply because I was reading this book, I was going to attempt to become a professional and published author. She simply wants you to record your story. Your story as a mother. Your story of the good and bad with children. Your story of before you were a mother and how you got to the point you are at in your life.
This book includes great writing prompts and ideas on how to use them in your "Mother's Journal". It also provides examples of writing from other mothers. It's nice to know that I'm not the only Mom feeling these ways.
Now that I have read this book, I hope to become inspired to use some of the prompts for my blog, which I use as my "Mommy Journal".
December 29, 2011
As an inveterate journal, memory and blog keeper - I truly appreciated this book. Throughout the entire book, I kept wishing that I could chat with the author face-to-face. I just KNOW that she'd be a kindred spirit.
She provides wonderful writing prompts and a very convincing case for keeping a Mother's Journal (which I do). I know that I'll refer to this book time and time again.
Highly recommended!
She provides wonderful writing prompts and a very convincing case for keeping a Mother's Journal (which I do). I know that I'll refer to this book time and time again.
Highly recommended!
March 19, 2018
Most of the information I had read or heard before so this might be a good book for new writers. I was hoping to learn more specific techniques for writing about being a mother which there was some but not enough.
April 29, 2009
A little quirk of mine: I judge a book's hold on me by reading the first few lines on the first page. If it captures my attention and makes me want to read more, then I'm sold. (Kind of like "you had me at hello" philosophy applied to books :P)
This book had me at hello, for sure. Given to me by my favorite cousin-now-a-poet for Christmas, it sat on my table together with other "to-read" books. Today I happened to open it, and the very first line I read (in the inner jacket) said
"Have you always wanted to chronicle your experience of motherhood, but never knew how to begin? Are you looking for an outlet for self-expression, but can't imagine how you could juggle one more thing?"
Hmmm. Sounds like me.
Written by Lisa Garrigues, a writing teacher, the book promises to "show readers how everyday life can be a rich source of stories, and how writing can provide a means to both understand and document their experiences. Whether you are a new mother or a grandmother, someone who has long aspired to write or someone who has never written before, Writing Motherhood will help you find your voice and tap into your creative self."
I was totally hooked. Now I can't put the book down.
In her foreword, Lisa Garrigues tells a beautiful story of how she almost didn't write an article that ended up winning a prestigious writing award, in a voice so simple, so natural, and so real that I felt I could be sitting on a porch swing and listening to my friend tell me that very story. She compares all the obstacles that get into the way of writing (and to me, that includes all my other hobbies that have to be set aside when real life calls) to rocks, and provides a very fresh, new way of looking at the quagmire: Don't try to avoid the rocks.
Wow. I like this philosophy.
She says: If you let the obstacles in your life--dishes, diapers, dirty laundry, just plain doubt--mount one on top of the other, you will create a hurdle so high that you will never be able to clear it. If instead you learn to maneuver around the obstacles, bumping into some, bouncing off others... sooner or later you will get where you want to go.
Beautiful.
Among the gifts this book promises to give me are some how-to's: two of these that struck me are How to start and fill a mother's notebook in just 15 minutes a day (great resource for journaling on my layouts!) and How to carve out the time and space for writing. In her review, Katrina Kenison calls this book both a creative writing manual and a mothering memoir... couldn't get any better than that!
I'm off to read more, and when I reach the final page, maybe I'll come back and add another star to the 4 I've already given. :)
This book had me at hello, for sure. Given to me by my favorite cousin-now-a-poet for Christmas, it sat on my table together with other "to-read" books. Today I happened to open it, and the very first line I read (in the inner jacket) said
"Have you always wanted to chronicle your experience of motherhood, but never knew how to begin? Are you looking for an outlet for self-expression, but can't imagine how you could juggle one more thing?"
Hmmm. Sounds like me.
Written by Lisa Garrigues, a writing teacher, the book promises to "show readers how everyday life can be a rich source of stories, and how writing can provide a means to both understand and document their experiences. Whether you are a new mother or a grandmother, someone who has long aspired to write or someone who has never written before, Writing Motherhood will help you find your voice and tap into your creative self."
I was totally hooked. Now I can't put the book down.
In her foreword, Lisa Garrigues tells a beautiful story of how she almost didn't write an article that ended up winning a prestigious writing award, in a voice so simple, so natural, and so real that I felt I could be sitting on a porch swing and listening to my friend tell me that very story. She compares all the obstacles that get into the way of writing (and to me, that includes all my other hobbies that have to be set aside when real life calls) to rocks, and provides a very fresh, new way of looking at the quagmire: Don't try to avoid the rocks.
Wow. I like this philosophy.
She says: If you let the obstacles in your life--dishes, diapers, dirty laundry, just plain doubt--mount one on top of the other, you will create a hurdle so high that you will never be able to clear it. If instead you learn to maneuver around the obstacles, bumping into some, bouncing off others... sooner or later you will get where you want to go.
Beautiful.
Among the gifts this book promises to give me are some how-to's: two of these that struck me are How to start and fill a mother's notebook in just 15 minutes a day (great resource for journaling on my layouts!) and How to carve out the time and space for writing. In her review, Katrina Kenison calls this book both a creative writing manual and a mothering memoir... couldn't get any better than that!
I'm off to read more, and when I reach the final page, maybe I'll come back and add another star to the 4 I've already given. :)
December 22, 2019
This book has a lot of great ideas for writing prompts. I was expecting more practical information about balancing motherhood and a writing life--there was some, just not a lot. But this book would be worth owning for all the great prompts. You would never be able to say "I don't know what to write about!"
If you're looking for a book with more practical advice for moms about launching a writing career, check out Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids.
If you're looking for a book with more practical advice for moms about launching a writing career, check out Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids.
December 22, 2009
So many fantastic ideas for preserving the memories of your family while at the same time exploring one's feelings/dreams/expectations of motherhood.
Unlike other books about writing, there's not this underlying assumption that you must want to be a "published writer" if you're reading the book. The purpose is so much more about slowing down and living in the moment. There are wonderful prompts to get you thinking (and writing) about what it means to be a mother (and sister/friend/daughter, too.)
Unlike other books about writing, there's not this underlying assumption that you must want to be a "published writer" if you're reading the book. The purpose is so much more about slowing down and living in the moment. There are wonderful prompts to get you thinking (and writing) about what it means to be a mother (and sister/friend/daughter, too.)
March 27, 2010
Had to buy this one. Checked out of the library, flipped through, and decided it was a must buy! $10 at Amazon. If you are at all interested in writing, even just personal writing (like me), this is a must have!!!
OK, so I am not done, but moved it to the done pile. this book sits on my nightstand and I read it almost every night. I've started my Mother's Journal, and love it! If it have even the tiniest interest in writing and/or want to recall the tidbits of being a mother, get this book! :-)
OK, so I am not done, but moved it to the done pile. this book sits on my nightstand and I read it almost every night. I've started my Mother's Journal, and love it! If it have even the tiniest interest in writing and/or want to recall the tidbits of being a mother, get this book! :-)
July 25, 2015
Even though the time between my start and end date for reading this book spans almost 2 years, it did not take me that long to read it. I spent that time purely enjoying each chapter of this book, and not wanting it to end. I picked it up after seeing Ali Edwards recommend it to help document my life story through journaling in scrapbooks. Garrigues gives lots of great suggestions and advice for writing and she makes her daily routine of writing two pages in a Mother's Notebook feel doable. I loved it so much, that I marked it up and have already started re-reading it.
May 16, 2010
As someone who is very focused on preserving the memories/stories of my family, I was intrigued by the ideas presented in this book. Particularly as it relates to exploring the feelings and expectations of motherhood. I use my scrapbooking pages to tell our stories, including my own. I will be using some of the prompts and ideas in this book as I continue to do that in our family scrapbooks. Really great resource!
February 9, 2010
I have not completed this book. I am reading it front to back but reading it slowly. I like it so far. The author requests that mothers keep a mother's journal that is separate from a regular journal. I'm not sure I am comfortable with that yet. I will come back to this review and give it the appropriate stars I think it deserves.
January 23, 2008
I mostly skimmed this due to lack of time but what I read was good. A lot of writing prompts and tips for documenting your experience as a mother. I liked all the personal stories. This title would be a good addition for any "mommy bloggers" or anyone intending to write a personal memoir on their experience as a mom.
October 26, 2008
I've had this on my "currently-reading" pile for several months, but it's been slow-going. I was hoping it might add a new dimension to my blogging, but I'm finally putting it aside for now. I do plan to go back to it, when I can give it the time it deserves, but right now I'm not compelled to finish it.
December 1, 2012
enjoy this book so far - a great tool - wonderfully written - I'm not able to get into the writing with two little monkeys around all the time, so maybe I'll set it down for just a bit ...
didn't finish this book, but I'm still writing - it would be a great read for someone with a first born or pregnant with their first - lots of wonderful information and ideas about documenting life with kids
didn't finish this book, but I'm still writing - it would be a great read for someone with a first born or pregnant with their first - lots of wonderful information and ideas about documenting life with kids
April 14, 2010
I finally finished this book today...
I really enjoyed it ~ it was very inspirational. When I started it, I decided which notebook would be my "Mother's Notebook". Then I realized that if I read as I wrote, I would never get the book done by the time it was due so I started a list of prompts. I made a goal to write everyday. It hasn't happened. But it will. :)
I really enjoyed it ~ it was very inspirational. When I started it, I decided which notebook would be my "Mother's Notebook". Then I realized that if I read as I wrote, I would never get the book done by the time it was due so I started a list of prompts. I made a goal to write everyday. It hasn't happened. But it will. :)
September 22, 2010
For my writing friends and for those who want to capture a bit of family life on paper--this book is a reminder that certain habits can help living and writing fit together more seamlessly. Full of great writing advice and even a few ideas for life.
Be warned, it does have a few four-letter words and a handful of more mature themes.
Be warned, it does have a few four-letter words and a handful of more mature themes.
August 28, 2007
I'm teaching at a Life After Baby group next week about the health benefits of journaling, then I am going to take them through some writing exercises on "Journaling Motherhood." This book has been very helpful.
February 27, 2011
I wish that I'd found this book 4 years ago when I first became a Mother and started my son's journal.
This book is perfect for any Mother that wants write their Children's story in amazing detail.
I'll be so happy to have these details in my journal to remember always.
This book is perfect for any Mother that wants write their Children's story in amazing detail.
I'll be so happy to have these details in my journal to remember always.
July 8, 2007
so much wisdom in here, teaching us moms how to tell the stories.
August 13, 2008
Loving this
February 16, 2010
Awesome book. I wished I had this book when I was pregnant with both my boys. Every mother should read this.
May 28, 2011
Got me back into journaling.
September 9, 2010
Loved the writing exercises!
September 26, 2011
Love it! Am reading very slowly and doing the writing prompts along with it....
June 2, 2013
I love this book so far.
December 15, 2010
Didn't finish, but lots of great ideas.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews