Contributors: Zan Bockes, James Brown, Wendy Call, Karen de Balbian Verster, John Dufresne, Kathleen Gerard, Reginald Gibbons, Sue Grafton, Robin Hemley, Dorianne Laux, Phillip Lopate, Rebecca McClanahan, Kyoko Mori, Bonnie Morris, Mark Pawlak, Diana Raab, Peter Selgin, Kim Stafford, Maureen Stanton, Ilan Stavans, Michael Steinberg, Katherine Towler, Tony Trigilio, Lori VanPelt, Michelle Wildgen, Kathryn Wilkens
Praise for Writers and Their Notebooks:
“Writers And Their Notebooks is an anthology of essays by established and professional writers, discussing the value of simple notebooks to collect ideas, play around with words, discover new insights into evoking emotion with language, and much more.
“In this book, a bevy of writers give the reader a glimpse into their private spaces. It is like peering into the rehearsal hall before the big opening performance where a ballerina does pirouette after pirouette, hoping to perfect the move before she must execute it in public.
“Writers and Their Notebooks is a collection of honest, thoughtful essays. Writers will be able to relate to the different perspectives, and non-writers will find the essays interesting and informative. At book signings, people often question the writing process of the author. Raab’s book provides answers for those readers through these well-crafted essays.”
~ US Review of Books
“This eclectic collection of essays illustrates what every writer and teacher of writing knows to be true: prewriting prepares writers to write. Diana M. Raab has assembled the work of more than twenty writers whose essays reflect on the relationship
“Diana Raab is sure that “in time, your natural, authentic voice will emerge on the pages of your journal—a voice free from societal restrictions and inhibitions.” Writing is hardly a natural act. We’ve been doing it for only five thousand years, give or take.
“You’re going to want to read and reread this book; write in it; draw stars beside passages; and exclamation marks next to those that are so apt they could have emanated from your own pen, your own heart. The collection will introduce you to writers you didn’t know before; and you’ll want to read their published work and compare those
“I love Diana Raab’s writing, and her editing is just as great. She gives the reader a look into how well-known authors use this essential part of every writer’s tool box, the notebook. She also provides a few sparks to get the reader writing. Great book.”
~ Patricia Charpentier
“What I especially like about Diana Raab’s book is the generous revealing of the creative workings and open-hearted generosity of the writers included. Plus I found a few tips for exercises to try in my own free-style notebook. All this experience and wisdom, plus an appendix that includes journal-writing exercises and a compilation of suggestions for further reading have me keeping my dog-eared copy of this book within easy reach.”
~ Judy Reeves
