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A review by moth_dance
The Thorn Necklace: Healing Through Writing and the Creative Process by Francesca Lia Block
5.0
I've been assigned an enormous amount of guidebooks in writing classes, but nothing has come close to Francesca Lia Block's "The Thorn Necklace." I love this book, not only because I'm a devotee-an eternal worshiper at her fictional house of magic and love-but because I'm constantly searching for established writers who don't belittle my experience, approach, style, etc. I despise Zinsser's "On Writing Well"; Strunk's "Elements of Style" is boring AF; every year I have to read Lamott's advice in "Bird by Bird" I become more aware of how dated it feels for me; Francine Prose's "Reading Like a Writer" is a lone favorite but too short. If you're looking for a grammar-police, get-published-now type of guide, this isn't the book for you.
"Thorn Necklace" is a study on self-love and self-care for any writer, passionate practitioners and occasional dabblers alike. There's a deep sense of awareness in Francesca's advice; she's always recognizing different creative processes and experiences juxtapose her life and career. The core of this book is in realizing that through writing, our experiences can be acknowledged and, potentially, healed to better ourselves and our practice.
A slight trigger warning for some readers: as a memoir, Francesca writes extensively in here about her life with eating disorders, depression, cancer, death, chronic illnesses, intense heartbreak.
Also, I highly recommend reading each chapter in order. Unlike other guides where you can skip around to find exact answers, "Thorn Necklace" is a journey that unfolds and illuminates like an orchid. If you're in need of immediate advice, there are really beautiful, simple exercises at the end of each chapter and a full chapter before the epilogue dedicated to writing advice. But IMO "Thorn Necklace" is best served in full, with close reading and emotional attachment to both the content and the author.
Francesca's art is a gift in "Thorn Necklace," much like Frida Kahlo's art has transformed into gifts for generations to follow. I know I will cherish this book and her advice for my entire life, taking what I've learned from reading her wisdom and applying it to all areas of my life, not just writing.
"Thorn Necklace" is a study on self-love and self-care for any writer, passionate practitioners and occasional dabblers alike. There's a deep sense of awareness in Francesca's advice; she's always recognizing different creative processes and experiences juxtapose her life and career. The core of this book is in realizing that through writing, our experiences can be acknowledged and, potentially, healed to better ourselves and our practice.
A slight trigger warning for some readers: as a memoir, Francesca writes extensively in here about her life with eating disorders, depression, cancer, death, chronic illnesses, intense heartbreak.
Also, I highly recommend reading each chapter in order. Unlike other guides where you can skip around to find exact answers, "Thorn Necklace" is a journey that unfolds and illuminates like an orchid. If you're in need of immediate advice, there are really beautiful, simple exercises at the end of each chapter and a full chapter before the epilogue dedicated to writing advice. But IMO "Thorn Necklace" is best served in full, with close reading and emotional attachment to both the content and the author.
Francesca's art is a gift in "Thorn Necklace," much like Frida Kahlo's art has transformed into gifts for generations to follow. I know I will cherish this book and her advice for my entire life, taking what I've learned from reading her wisdom and applying it to all areas of my life, not just writing.