A cure for writers' block?

Advantages: Useful ideas for creative writers
Disadvantages: The approach won't appeal to all writers.

...The very fact that Natalie Goldberg's book 'Writing Down the Bones' is easy to read is testament to her skill as a writer. This should be encouragement enough for any writer to follow her advice. Her ideas so clearly expressed that they are absorbed without effort. The variety of them keeps the momentum of the book going. Goldberg began teaching writing workshops in 1975 to hippies, nuns and juvenile delinquents amongst others. In 1974 she began practising sitting meditation. She studied Zen formally from 1978 to 1984 and this deeply influenced her approach to writing. It will, however, probably mean that writers will either love or hate the methods exposed in 'Writing Down the Bones'. Writing is considered a discipline similar to running, for example: it must be practised every day. Goldberg sees writing as being about 'trusting your...

denella 15.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer within - Natalie Naimark-Goldberg

I Wannabe a Writer...

Advantages: Inspires, encourages, has a variety of features
Disadvantages: Not quite up to the standard of its rival

...I realised a couple of weeks ago that I should probably be numbered with those who spot trains, collect stamps and play Warhammer; in other words, I seem to have developed a bit of an obsession. It’s been insidious, but the smart new magazine box-files on my bookshelves are evidence enough. They contain a copy of every issue from virtually every UK writing magazine published in the last six months. Included in this growing collection are the most recent five issues of Writers’ Forum (hereafter referred to as WF). Although I had avidly read each issue of this monthly magazine, until that point of realisation my actual output of written words was, well, non-existent. I’d obviously been operating under the common delusion that the mere ownership of something is enough to secure the desired rewards. Much in the same way...

Sally3 13.12.2003 · Read review
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Review of Writers Forum

Resources for writers

Advantages: Current resources, frequently updated, quick to load, easy to navigate, courses and critique available
Disadvantages: Rather basic layout, no actual articles, not much for newcomers to writing

...Jacqui Bennett's Writers' Bureau website (http://www.jbwb.co.uk) is in my view one of the most useful sites for British writers that I have come across. It's not flashy; it doesn't even look slick or professionally designed, but it's easy to navigate, it's frequently updated, and it's full of current information about writing markets and competitions. The aim of the site is to help people become published writers. With that in mind, there are two main types of resource here: free ones, available to all, and paid resources. Jacqui Bennett (whose real name is Jenny Hewitt) is a writer and writing instructor of significant experience; she and her team aim to provide links for everything that a writer might want. ? Layout ? The main page (and indeed all pages) has simple text on a white background, with a blue bar of links...

Kukana 08.11.2003 · Read review
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Review of Jacqui Bennett Writers Bureau

A Writer Writes About Writing

Advantages: Interesting ideas; range of literary references
Disadvantages: Mainly for writers of fiction and poetry

...Having read and been so impressed by several of Margaret Atwoods works of fiction, I imagined that a book written by her about the art or activity of writing would prove to be an interesting read. As explained in the introduction and prologue to the book, the chapters here are based on the Empson Lectures given by the writer at the University of Cambridge in the year 2000. Chapter 1, entitled Who do you think you are? is mainly autobiographical, tracing Atwood's early years from her birth in Ottawa in 1939 up until her undergraduate student days at Victoria College, the University of Toronto. I found it an enjoyable read that eased me into the book, as I learned how Atwood and her brother whiled away the hours taking turns at storytelling, and how she became an avid reader of everything from Edgar Allan Poe and Jane Austen to True...

denella 26.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing - Margaret Atwood

Writer's Market 2008

Advantages: A truly great resource for ANY writer
Disadvantages: Not a single one

...The book Writer's Market UK 2008 is billed on the front cover as: "The essential new annual resource for all writers." I bought this book in W H Smith's as part of a three book deal. which included the Kyle MacDonald book One Red Paperclip" . The other book was so memorable that I cannot recall which it was! Although they say that "self praise is no recommendation" I have to report that billing the book Writer's Market 2008 as: ""The essential new annual resource for all writers" is pretty much an accurate description for this new publication. It is in paperback at £12.99 and is only just shy of 1,000 pages, at 976 pages in length to be more accurate. The book is logically arranged in sections and is very well laid out. This makes it very easy to use. Some books designed for writers contain all the information that you want...

Martinscholes 25.08.2007 · Read review
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Review of Writers Market UK 2008 - Michael Cady

Want to be a writer? Put this down and write

Advantages: The odd interesting article, ideas for markets.
Disadvantages: Commercial soulless tat.

...In my spare time, I'm a writer. I write short stories and reviews (obviously) with the occasional attempt at a novel. As well as various comedy pieces and poems as the mood takes me. As I write to be read, I'm always looking out for publishing opportunities, competitions and things. And so it is that about three times a year I make the time-honoured mistake of picking up a copy of Writer's Forum from Smiths. The format is set in stone. A picture of a (usually) female writer on the front, generally with a smaller photo of another writer who's just won their first publishing contract. Promises of fantastic competitions and awesome publishing opportunities are emblazoned across the cover, as well as tantilising strap lines like: 'Inside: How to get a literary agent' or 'Where to find a grant'. To the struggling writer, this is...

Olly_Plimsoll 19.02.2006 · Read review
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Review of Writers Forum

  The Home of Great Writers

Advantages: Great value for such a fascinating collection
Disadvantages: Really, there just aren't any!

...Ireland is full of literary heritage and no fewer than four deserving Nobel prize-winning writers fill it?s history. It is no surprise to learn that Dublin housed more than it?s fair share of these literary luminaries, due in no small part to the warmth of it?s people and the plentitude of it?s Guiness? I can?t help but think in terms of the great Irish writers when I think of Dublin ? of James Joyce and Brendan Behan, of George Bernard Shaw and Sean O?Casey, W B Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde. So when I found myself with an unexpected couple of hours to spend in an otherwise whirlwind business trip in that fair city the place that I returned back to after many years away was the Dublin Writers Museum. The museum is about as central as it can be, situated at 18...

Kirsty1 16.09.2003 · Read review
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Review of Dublin Writers´ Museum

A Writer's Legacy

Advantages: A true insight into the author, as well as a blunt an honest appraisal of the craft of writing and its industry.
Disadvantages: This book is currently pretty difficult to get hold of, but well worth the effort.

...To my shock and dismay, Richard Laymon died of a heart attack on the 14th of February 2001. By chance, I had just completed the first draft of this review when I heard the news. It struck me especially hard because, through this unique and special book, I felt I had come to know Mr Laymon very well. 'A Writer's Tale' is a peculiar beast, written by an author in a unique position. While achieving bestselling success in the UK, on his home territory in the United States he has been treated appallingly by the publishing industry. At one and the same time, he was both a success and a failure. 'A Writer's Tale' aims to give the reader an inside look at his story, and is especially geared towards the aspiring writer. Because, at the time, Laymon had absolutely no career to ruin in the United States, he is not afraid to name names...

RichardW 20.02.2001 · Read review
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Review of A Writer's Tale - Richard Laymon

The Writers Choice

Advantages: Everything you'll ever need to know
Disadvantages: There aren't any!

...I was really surprised when I noticed this book had never been reviewed on Ciao, particularly given the obvious talent of many writers here (creep creep!). I put in a request to Ciao some time ago, then promtly disappeared a while, and now have finally got round to reviewing this excellent book - The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2003. ** What is it, Stu? ** Well, it's a factual reference book aimed at writers and artists (funnily enough!), which as been published ever year for the past 96 years! It's published by A & C Black of London, and priced at a very modest £12.99 for 696 pages of fact-filled information. It's available from all good book sellers and, of course, lending libraries. The ISBN number is 0-7136-6281-6, and you can find out more about it at www.acblack.com. This book is a must for anyone who is interested in...

blueduck 04.06.2003 · Read review
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Review of Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2003

Lacie Dual DVD Writer USB 2.0 (Mac and PC)

Advantages: Reliable, well built, works easily.
Disadvantages: Not a speed demon

...The LaCie DVD+/-RW Double Layer Drive USB 2.0 is a very reliable and strongly built machine. I've had it for a few months now and it hasnt let me down yet. I use it weekly to back up my photography files onto dvd and various other documents and it does the job perfectly. Ok, its no speed demon, it took a good 1/2 hour to burn footage of my 1 year old nephew through iDVD but it got the job done and as long as you have the time, its no problem at all. A kool feature is that its basically a 4 in 1 drive. It'll read cd's, write cd's, read dvd's and burn dvd's. The cd thing isnt so great now as most computers come with cd readers and writers built in but its handy to have any way. I love the design of this drive. It's not the clunky slab of grey tinny metal I'm used to, but a sleek well desined effort that sits elegantly on your...

leebo87 09.09.2006 · Read review
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Review of LaCie DVD±RW with LightScribe Design by F.A. Porsche