The Writing Life: Ideas and Inspiration for Anyone Who Wants to Write

by Julia Cameron

Book Overview

Through their many bestselling books, Natalie Goldberg and Julia Cameron have done nothing less than deepen the way millions of us experience the art and practice of writing and creativity. Now with The Writing Life, Cameron and Goldberg join forces for the first time in this revealing dialogue that speaks to our common search for an everyday spirituality.Join these two creative giants as they explode cherished misconceptions about who should write,...

• Format: Audio CD
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591794021
• ISBN13: 9781591794028
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Sounds True
• Weight: 0.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

For days when you need that little extra inspiration...

Although I had already read a few of Julia Cameron's books, as well as "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg, this was a worthwhile purchase. I bought this CD set mostly because there are days (actually more often than not) when I'd rather listen to something inspiring while driving, instead of searching for something listenable the radio. This is a very absorbing discussion. My only real gripe is that all three ladies - Julia, Natalie, AND the moderator - speak in such a quiet tone that you have to sometimes rewind and turn up the volume to understand what they're saying. At times, they are talking virtually in a whisper, which I found a little distracting. But otherwise, it's a nice companion (literally) to the books, something to take with you on the road to keep you centered and on track as a writer.

The Writing Life

Having been engaged in the writing practice as suggested in Julia Cameron's The Artist Way for more than 15 years, I am now a successful unblocked creative person. As a result I no problem participating in a writing workshop where was introduced to the writing practice of Natalie Goldberg and her book Wild Mind. Without realizing it I combined the practice of my writing the morning pages as suggested by Julia Cameron and throughout the day the 10 minute "Keep your hand moving" practice as suggested by Natalie Goldberg. My creative productivty moved in directions I would have never thought possible. I was so excited I when I came upon this CD in researching for my own writing workshop. Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg share their experience, beliefs and insight of the creative process that moves way beyound the mechanics of writing. This is a great CD for anyone looking for a jump start in their creative process. Highly recommended.

IF IT MATTERS...

The "Secret of Julia Cameron" may be available on this tape, where she tells how she began writing (short stories) at middle-school age: "I wrote them to woo [a certain party]" -- (I have met that party) -- "I think I just terrified him", Julia concludes. The party of the second part remembers her fine drawings of horses, her memorizing five new words from the dictionary daily, even one of her papers for Science class ("We Shall Have Weather, Whether Or Not"). Whether or not what? he asked and earned her acerbity. But, party of 2nd part does not recall five short stories and must have missed the pitch, too. Meaning? Julia is in love with her IDEAS, not so much young Lochinvar. This works, as evidenced by her career. The Secret, then? Be in love with your own ideas if you wish to follow Julia, the artist's, Way. As for Natalie's part, she has a nice, comforting tone, and presence of a deuterium control rod in a nuclear reactor. Where Julia has two thoughts, Natalie has one = whew! Together they scoop up the "poor, tired, huddled masses yearning to breathe free". Fittingly, as bold women writers and teachers they are peripatetic statues of Liberty, inviting us to leave elitism and come on over to creativity. They dish up ideas faster than a mechanical pitching machine at a batter's cage...unlike pitching woo, this pitch you can hit.

Comfort and Encouragement

I was forunate to initially rent this audiobook on a cross-country trip. I listened to it 5 times in that week. I don't think, "I need to do my morning pages." I hear Ms. Cameron say, "Morning pages are mandatory". I hear the change of inflection when Ms. Goldberg says "Writng Down the Bones". You could read the instruction that finding a safe, functional place to write is a necessity or you can listen to the story about the cafe with the bad coffee and hear from the tones how important this factor was in the success of "Bones". Ms. Cameron tells a story about a walk in a dreary northern concrete and asphalt city and the inspiration she found in a single flower forcing its way through the cracks, one tiny and colorful thing living in a block of massive gray inanimate objects. Just reading the words would make this another self-help writing manual. The voices are haunting, inspirational and comforting. Yes, I bought the audiobook.Yes, I listen to it still.

Find somebody who loves to write and listen to them!

"Artists are the antennae of the race." (Ezra Pound).. so quote the authors interviewed on this tape. Both Natalie Goldberg and Julia Cameron stress that writing is "a form of listening, a conduit that connects you to everything within yourself as well as to everything outside of youself." Therefore, writing is about receptivity. It's not always about the finished product but about the process.On this two tape set Natalie Goldberg and Julia Cameron talk about the writing process: What to do with the critical voice, specificity in writing, character development, criticism, jealousy, the use of morning pages, persistence and the willingness to show up.What qualifies these two authors to teach is not only their love for writing but the fact that they actually write. They are engaged in the writing process. They speak from experience not theory. The authors advise, "find someone who is in love with writing and they will help you!" Follow that advise and it will lead you to this set of tapes.