rules of spontaneous prose (by jack kerouac)

Jack Kerouac’s brilliant, heartfelt advice about writing. Typically, silliness mixed in with profound wisdom. What a great mind and a loving heart the man had!

Is My Book Idea Worth Pursuing?

I am often asked by hesitant, would-be authors if I would take a look at their manuscripts and then tell them whether I think their idea for a book is “worth pursuing.” I always look at the work before answering the question. But, to be honest, I have never yet answered that question with a “no.” And it’s hard for me to imagine the circumstances in which I ever would. Here’s why…

Habits and Techniques of Writers: Storytelling

Storytelling is not about conveying information. It’s about the joy of entering a world created by the storyteller, a world that can be entered and enjoyed as many times as the story is told well.

And whose story is worth telling? Everyone’s.

Introducing Habits and Techniques of Writers: Observation

If anyone can be a writer, if writing is as natural as talking, then what is there to learn in a writing workshop? This new occasional column will explore some of the habits and techniques of writers.

Hulstrand’s Five Golden Rules of Editing

The five most important rules to follow when editing your work.

Ten Rules of the Road for Writing from the Heart

This is a distillation of the things I think it is most important to remember when writing from the heart. With thanks to Anne Lamott, Brenda Ueland, Julia Cameron, Robert Wolf, Nancy Slonim Aronie, and all the other mentors and guides who have influenced and encouraged me.

Some answers to the question “Why do we write?”

A few quotes about why people write from some of those who know best…

Some Quotes about Writing

A few of my favorite quotes about writing and the writing process

A belated, but heartfelt, thanks to my Mom

..it wasn’t until after she died and I had to learn how to live my life without her that I realized how critical my mother’s continuing existence had been to my own.

Being “Up to Here In It”…Together

It is pretty amazing what happens when people tell the truth about where they are coming from, the truths they have lived, what they really think and believe.