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Reviews

Highly recommended for anyone who writes, wants to write, or is taking a writing course.

LIBRARY JOURNAL

Keyes explores inner struggles that grad schools, conferences, and craft books usually ignore ... [an] intimate examination of the writing mind ...

ANTIOCH REVIEW

He lists the many reasons writers have been afraid, from fear of falling short of their ideals to anxiety about self-exposure. ... Having made the game of writing sound like a descent into hell, he sets out in the second half of his primer to teach the prospective writer how to overcome fear.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Keyes is not convinced that anxiety is a bad thing. He documents so much fear experienced by so many writers -- from E.B. White to Gail Godwin -- that fear emerges as a given. The trick is to manage it and reap its energy.

CINCINNATI POST

Anyone who is a writer, wants to be a writer or knows a writer will want to pick up a copy of The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes. It is one of the best books about the writing profession ever published.

FRESNO BEE

Highly readable and laced with true-confession anecdotes about the trepidations that dog most writers, Keyes's book is an attempt to show nervous novices how to turn fear toward more productive ends.

COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Keyes provides compelling reading for writers at all levels, from student to journeyman.

SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE

Keyes can be helpful to fledgling writers who are struggling with doubt and lack of confidence. The Courage to Write can be read in times of tribulation, much like a collection of inspirational verses, then put away when the words are flowing.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

His book taught me more about the "creative process" than all the writers' voices shelved in my bookstore's "elite corps." Keyes succeeds where others have failed because he understands that "There are very few 'writing problems' as such; only human ones."

TRENTON TIMES

The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear is unlike many previous how-to books about writing. Why? Because most books focus on how to overcome fear. Keyes bases his book on the premise that writers should face their fear and transcend it through courage.

DAYTON VOICE

[Keyes's] latest work is, on the surface, an entertaining and insightful how-to book for aspiring and working writers....What makes it so appealing is its straightforward approach to the writing life and to its often eccentric practitioners....If you've ever wondered what happens before a writer shows up at your local bookstore to sign The Great American Novel, add The Courage to Write to your summer reading list. You don't have to be a closet writer to find it a page-turner.

LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL

Keyes includes an insightful chapter on motivations to write, including the desire to stick one's tongue out at the people from one's past ... Keyes has written interesting chapters about writer's block as well as the totems and rituals that famous writers have used to help them overcome their blocks. He also covers the positive aspects of writing conferences and classes.

KANSAS CITY STAR

Ralph Keyes's marvelous little book, The Courage to Write, is full of uplifting suggestions ... [a] down-to-earth book full of encouragement and wisdom suitable for both the master writer and the timid novice.

ALPENA (Michigan) NEWS

Although aimed at those who toil in the writing trenches, Keyes's anecdotal approach to the topic makes the book interesting for nonwriters as well. Stories of the rituals, totems and habits of working writers trying to manage their anxiety make fascinating reading for anyone who has ever wondered about how writers work.

CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER

Keyes shares his insights with us, encouraging us to find and use the power of positive anxiety, to write beyond all those concerns, to write in the nude if it stimulates you to write at your best.

BOOKPAGE

A compelling and helpful book for incipient or experienced writers.

PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL

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.

Laura Tripp, hercorner.com

 

From Amazon.Com

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

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 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 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

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. Keys 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, Keys 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'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