The Right to Write
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| Author | Julia Cameron |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-Fiction |
| Publisher | Penguin Putnam Inc. |
Publication date | 27 December 1999 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print Paperback |
| Pages | 233pp |
| ISBN | 1585420093 |
The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life, by Julia Cameron is a non-fiction book written in first- person point of view about the creative process of writing. It can be meant for anyone and is supposed to show ways to have writing become more natural and carefree in order to make for a more fulfilling life. It says that writing can be a spiritual experience that can help heal a writer and take away all the things blocking them from a writing flow without the act of force.
Synopsis
"The Right to Write" is a followup bestseller after Cameron's international bestseller entitled "The Artist's Way". This book is said to be a cheerleader for writers or for anyone as it is said in the introduction section, where each chapter succeeds the next of a writer’s journey of growth. At the end of each chapter, there are initiation tools that a reader could follow that the author uses as helpful writing exercises to improve creativity and gain desired inspiration. In the Introduction to this book, it is stated that every one can write because it is good for the soul and writing can be that form of prayer and meditation in a writer's life. [1] The book explains the many blocks that come from the act of writing but shows the way to escape them and use writing as a way of expression. The main focus of the book also said in the introduction, is initially to help heal broken writers, take away some of the negative beliefs about writing, while guiding those that are afraid and struggling with the writing process. This book shows through its 43 sections, different ways in which writing can help a person's every day problems and how writing can become the key to a self-empowering experience. [2]The book has an introduction section, 43 individual sections a long with initiation tools at the end of each chapter as a practice exercise to guide the writer in different writing techniques such as free -writing, writing a list of things the reader may value,[3] observing or writing the reader's surroundings,[4] or just taking a walk to gain inspiration and insight. [5] This books also has suggested readings by the author listed at the end of the book.
Section Summary
Sketching is one of the sections in this book that positions readers about the attitude of trust. [6]That means, for a writer to listen and feel the words that will come to them instead of the anxiety that comes with trying to always know exactly what to write at the given time. This section mentions that as writers, it is important to trust that the correct words will come instead of giving way to worry and doubt that will become a block.[7] It says that writers don't have to know right away what exactly they want to say but images will start showing up because it is the writing itself that will know what to do. A writer may not know how something will end up such as writing a novel and fear might start to kick in but if a writer always knew what was going to happen when they started writing, the reader will also and this would be too predictable. The technique described in this section is compared to a voice inside the writer's head that starts talking and they begin to listen to it as a story while writing down the details. It goes on to say that once the writer begins to know where they are going and worry and doubt sets in, it becomes a wall where control starts to set in. The wall is a place where many begin to compete but to escape this; it says it is important to know that it is ok to write badly. Once a person can accept this, they can become free and can once again start to sketch.
The Initiation Tool for this section is for the reader to take one half hour to sketch where they may be the mood they are in, and anything else around that might be of interest, Then it says to make a list from one to five of different topics the reader would like to write about – without the worry of being practical or deep. This tool is to help the writer find the joy in their work again from simply writing something that is of interest.
Julia Cameron
Julia Cameron is a novelist, play writer, songwriter, and poet who wrote 30 books in many different genres. She is best known for her writing about infusing creativity in her best selling books, The Artist’s way which had sold more than two million copies worldwide, The Vein of Gold and The Right to Write.
Morning Pages and Artist Date
These are basic initiation tools listed in the books "The Right to Write" and "The Artist's Way" that are supposed to help with the creative process. Artist Date is an expediation the reader can go on to visit a place that may interest them such as a shop or museum and to do this alone once a week in order to once again revive the writer's spirit. This section "The well"[8] says that it is important to do this alone because it is a date the reader is having with his or her creative consciousness. This section claims that when ideas and writing itself gets dried up from this well inside the writer, it becomes difficult to write. The reason to go on this date is explained as restocking the well- to escape a chaotic life and experience things that a reader can appeal to his or her inner artist or inner child.
The section "Witness" [9] says that Morning Pages is a way for the reader to write freely about anything that may come to his or her mind. It is said to be three pages of longhand free writing that is supposed to be written in the morning. It is said that it prioritizes the writer and inspires them while also becoming their witness- a confidant to capture the writer's emotions while providing a way for reflection.
References
- ^ Cameron, Julia The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life (1998) pg Introduction
- ^ Cameron, Julia The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life (1998) pg Introduction
- ^ Cameron, Julia The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life (1998) pg 51
- ^ Cameron, Julia The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life (1998) pg 92
- ^ Cameron, Julia The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life (1998) pg 63
- ^ Cameron, Julia The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life (1998) pg 69
- ^ Cameron, Julia The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life (1998) pg 69
- ^ Cameron, Julia The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life (1998) pg 64-68
- ^ Cameron, Julia The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life (1998) pg 81-86