The Writing Warrior: Discovering the Courage to Free Your True Voice - Softcover

Herring, Laraine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1590307968 ISBN 13: 9781590307960

Publisher: Shambhala, 2010

Synopsis

All writers are faced at some point with feelings of self-consciousness and self-doubt about their work. In this invaluable guide, Laraine Herring offers advice to writers who want to become more comfortable with their writing, face their inhibitions, and gain the confidence to release their true voice. Utilizing the breath, a vigorous movement practice designed to break up stagnation with the body and the mind, and writing exercises aimed both at self-exploration and developing works-in-progress, Herring offers a clear path to writing through illusion. Learn how to remove obstacles in your writing and develop techniques to help you relax into your own voice; discover ways to enter into a compassionate, non-judgmental relationship with yourself so that you can write safely and authentically from a place of absolute vulnerability; and discover the interconnectedness of your personal writing process and the community as a whole. The Writing Warrior will not only help you find ways to develop your writing, but also ways to develop yourself.

About this title

About the Author

Laraine Herring holds an MFA in creative writing and an MA in counseling psychology. She has developed numerous workshops that use writing as a tool for healing grief and loss. She is the author of Writing Begins with the Breath: Embodying Your Authentic Voice, Lost Fathers: How Women Can Heal from Adolescent Father Loss, the novel Ghost Swamp Blues, and the short story collection Monsoons. Her short stories, poems, and essays have appeared in national and local publications. Her fiction has won the Barbara Deming Award for Women, and her nonfiction work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She currently teaches creative writing in Prescott, Arizona.

Review

“Practical, accessible, and motivational.”—The Washington Post

“In this out-of-the-box handbook for aspiring writers, [Herring] displays her ability to wed spirituality and creativity in vivid and surprising ways.”—Spirituality & Practice 

“A worthwhile and motivating read for all writers. Those who enjoy Julia Cameron’s (The Artist’s Way, etc.) holistic approach should similarly like Herring's work.”—Library Journal

“A terrific writing companion, reminding me of Anne Lamott’s Bird By Bird and Natalie Goldberg’s books on writing.  Herring’s advanced degrees in both creative writing and psychology give her just the right perspective for a book on motivating writers and making the most of one’s writing life. The Writing Warrior fulfills its promise in offering discovery and courage.”—Seattle Post-Intelligencer blogger, The Writer’s Block 

“This guide gives readers the confidence to share their true voices with the world without hesitation. Herring maintains a personable, friendly tone.”—ForeWord Reviews 

“The practice is exquisitely clear; breathe and write. This book is an excellent guide and a catalyst for that deep work, and a wise companion for the writer’s journey.”—SARK, author and artist of Fabulous Friendship Festival

“Laraine Herring takes you on a journey toward wholeness as a writer—she not only explores every aspect of the writing process; she also invites you to explore every aspect of your writing self—body, mind, and spirit. Anyone who writes—or wants to—will find this book as essential and inspiring as breath.”—Gayle Brandeis, author of Fruitflesh: Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write

“I've read piles of how-to books for writers. This one stands out from the rest. Just as martial arts training is about a way of life as much or more than a way of self-defense, this book is about a way of thinking as much or more than a way of writing. One way to tell that I’ve been engaged with a book is the number of sticky flags bristling from the edges. This book has a lot of flags.”—Story Circle Book Reviews

Edition details

• Publisher: Shambhala
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1590307968
• ISBN 13: 9781590307960
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272