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clarkf87's review against another edition
4.75
Nestled between quotes from famous authors are Dinty Moore’s interpretations of them as a writer and Buddhist. It was just the inspiration (and kick in the behind) that I needed.
“Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work.” - Chuck Close
“Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work.” - Chuck Close
“When one is highly alert to language, then nearly everything begs to be a poem.” - James Tate
“What crazies we writers are, our heads full of language like buckets of minnows standing in the moonlight on a dock.” - Hayden Carruth
“The depth is in the surface.” - William Matthews
“Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.” - August Wilson
“Catch yourself thinking.” - Allen Ginsberg
“Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” - E. L. Doctorow
“Convince yourself that you are working in clay, not marble; on paper, not eternal bronze: let that first sentence be a stupid as it wishes.” - Jacques Barzun
“To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.” - Pema Chodron
“Write with your passionate heart, but edit with your calm brain.” - Dinty W. Moore
jessreads82's review against another edition
5.0
Inspiring
Very short little book full of inspiration, advice, and just good sense for writers and struggling writers. This is a book I can come back to again and again when needed
Very short little book full of inspiration, advice, and just good sense for writers and struggling writers. This is a book I can come back to again and again when needed
raggedyprada's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
readbyryan's review against another edition
5.0
This non-fiction book was first published in 2016 by American essayist and writer, Dinty W. Moore. The book combines the practice of mindfulness, rooted in Moore’s own Buddhist beliefs and practice, with the act and art of writing. The book is separated into sections such as “The Writer’s Mind” and “The Writer’s Desk” and “The Writer’s Vision” which each contain several small essays on the application of mindfulness to writing, each starting with a quote from an acclaimed author. I found this books to be so inspiring and so practical. The advice in this slim volume ranges from the existential to the practical and mundane, each building on the next to encourage even the most blocked writer to pick up a pen or keyboard and keep going. I’ve been really invested in mindfulness for the past few months and it’s changed the way I see everything. Writing is no exception, but this book has encouraged me to deepen my practice and really trudge forward with some projects. I absolutely love this book and I think anyone who wants to write in any capacity should read this book. ★★★★★ • Hardcover • Nonficiton - Mindfulness, Writing • Purchased online. ◾︎
emlickliter's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
The Mindful Writer: Noble Truths of the Writing Life by Dinty W. Moore - If you enjoy books on writing, this one is a bit slow but there is some very good advice in this little book! Happy Reading!
carol_indygardener's review against another edition
3.0
I like the quotes he chose for the book. If you are stuck or feel alone as you write, reading the quotes and his brief reflections on them will show you that you are not alone. Go write.
jpustka's review against another edition
4.0
This book is full of practical ways to slow down and be more mindful when writing. Peppered with quotes from spiritual teachers and writers, the author uses these to look at writing through a mindful lens inspired by Buddhism. I didn't find this book to be religious or heavy handed. It primarily uses Buddhist thought to ask question and look at the writing process from a different perspective. It reminded me a little of Liz Gilbert's "Big Magic." I would recommend this to anyone looking to go deeper into the writing process.
Thank you to Net Galley for a complimentary digital copy of "The Mindful Writer."
Thank you to Net Galley for a complimentary digital copy of "The Mindful Writer."