A review by toniclark
Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo by Grant Faulkner

5.0

Although the book is aimed primarily at novelists (both beginning and published), I found so much here that applies to poetry or any kind of writing — indeed, to any creative endeavor. Faulkner gives us inspiration, encouragement, and gentle wisdom without the typical advice we’ve all read in other writing guides: e.g., write what you know, kill your darlings, silence your inner editor, blah, blah, blah. I found Faulkner refreshing and interesting. The book consists of 52 short chapters, each one easy to read whenever you need a little kick in the pants. I wanted to read the whole thing in one setting, but it’s probably better consumed more slowly, taking time to think about your own process and to try some of the exercises that cap each chapter. I’ll be dipping into this often. I really loved this book and am searching out some interviews with Faulkner (i.e., on various podcasts, such as Joanna Penn’s “The Creative Penn Podcast.”

“Inspiration is a funny thing. It’s powerful enough to move mountains. When it strikes, it carries an author forward like the rushing torrents of a flooded river. And yet, if you wait for it, nothing happens.” — Grant Faulkner