I’ve had The Courage to Write for about 5 years now. Since I bought this book, I’ve seen my first article published, followed by regular publication in several regional and national magazines in my genre. I’ve also just finished my first book (it’s at the printer) and am working on my second.

This book is my constant companion. It sits on my nightstand waiting for the nights that I wake up in a cold sweat worrying about looming deadlines, envisioning uncorrected errors in my first book, or in a panic that I will not be able to finish the book I’m working on now. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that I would not be a writer today if I had not discovered this book.

If you are a writer or an aspiring writer and you are thinking about buying this book, stop thinking and buy it now! You won’t regret it.

Longmont, CO

This book does not attempt to teach the craft or writing, such as plotting, characterization, dialog, etc., nor is it appropriate for non-fiction writing. Keyes’s intent is to help the aspiring novelist deal with the fear of writing, which may be interpreted as the fear of exposure and/or rejection before our peers and family. Keyes uses extensive quotes and anecdotes from various writers like Hemingway, E.B. White, Faulkner, Proust, Frost, and Ezra Pound to illustrate how great writers dealt with this fear. His anecdotes serve to prove the point that you are not alone in your fears. Even the best in the business felt fear.

A previous reviewer mentioned an important point, which I feel needs to be re-iterated, and that is, Keyes presents so many different takes on how various writers overcame their fears, the reader is left with a confusing array of options, none of which are presented in a concise or manageable format. Simply put, the book does not congeal any techniques into a workable plan. As a writer, I have read quite a few books on this subject and eat technique and craft ideas like candy. This book did not satisfy my appetite for clear-cut techniques. That said, the book succeeds in illustrating how we (writers) must all travel a private path towards his or her writing goals.

This is a short and highly readable book, which I would recommend for all writers; however, while reading the book I remember feeling a bit depressed about the writing process. After reading this book, I pulled out the first draft of my second novel and began to rework it. We’ll see where it goes.

Ron Atkins

I recommend this book to all of my classes, workshops, in most of my speeches and everywhere online. Keyes directly addresses the fears that so many writers (most writers, I think) are prey to and then gives coping strategies. The worst thing about writing is that the longer you do it, the harder it gets, and Keyes is invaluable for dealing with that. This is a wonderful book.

Jenny Crusie

I usually read more fiction than anything else, as I am a fiction writer myself. The Courage to Write is without a doubt the best non-fiction I have read in years–maybe ever! … For decades I have wondered what was wrong with me, why I would write for a while and then lose momentum and eventually stop, shoving my manuscript into a drawer. I just thought I didn’t have enough talent or, as Mr. Keyes touches on in one chapter, that I was afraid of the reaction of family members if I were to write honestly. That is indeed one of my fears, but how relieved I was to learn that many, many writers feel the same way! After I finished the book, I immediately turned to my writing journal where I jot all kinds of notes, ideas, and such about my writing. I raved on and on about The Courage to Write, and even e-mailed Mr. Keyes a personal thanks for having inspired me. This is one book that will be referred to often.

Ellen Bales

I am a writer and have spent the past two years desperately trying to finish two business books. Until I read The Courage to Write, I couldn’t figure out why I was having such a hard time finishing what I had started. Now I get it. This book has helped my understand that what I am going through is normal and identify what I need to do to ship the darn things.

Charles O’Leary

I use this book sort of as a reference, to meditate on. It’s reassuring to know that my anxiety need not interfere with writing. This book brings me back to the view that anxiety is only so much background noise. I also re-title it sometimes as “The Courage to Query”!

Linda Moran

The hardest part of being a freelance writer is finding the courage to put your neck on the line. First, when you open yourself up to write, whether its fiction, non-fiction or a letter to your best friend, you have to open up about yourself to bring life to the writing. Secondly, writers need the courage to publish their writing. If you keep it in a box under your bed, safe from the world, its less scary but you are also stifling your voice. As a writer your voice is a treasure to share. Its a shame to keep it locked away, silent.

That’s why I bought the book The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear by Ralph Keyes. The purpose of the book is to encourage writers to reach out past their fears. However, the first half of the book describes the fears of other, already famous writers. Although these are stories of success meant to encourage its not really that helpful. I came looking for ways to help myself. That’s when I read far enough to get to the second half of the book. Its here the real advice and suggestions start.

One of my favourites is writing before you’re ready. Just start, don’t wait for everything to fall into place surprise yourself into writing. This is something that does work for me. How about using your fear. All that energy generated by your fear of failure, fear of being exposed as a fraud, etc., take it and use it as energy for writing. Get yourself charged up and then pick up a pen, turn on the computer and pour it all out into words. This is something that would take a little mental work but it could work. Could you write in your car, while waiting for your kids at the dentist, in the middle of a packed shopping mall or while sipping a coffee after dinner at your kitchen table. A change of place could bring you a change of pace if you’re feeling trapped by your surroundings, your mood or your fears.

Many other suggestions come up in the book. Each writer needs to read it to find what works for them and which appeals to them personally. There is a lot here for writers of all genres, personalities and skill levels. Here and there are writing tips, for the actual writing. I found this a good experience but I never really found what I was looking for on a personal level. I think my answers might be in a different book, one that covers self-esteem a little deeper. But its a good start at figuring myself out as a writer and it did make me feel inspired to write, create and most of all get my stuff published.

A compelling and helpful book for incipient or experienced writers.