A Writer's Book of Days: A Spirited Companion and Lively Muse for the Writing Life

This book breaks through writing blocks in a friendly, relaxed way. It's sort of like a daily meditation book, but, instead of meditations, it gives tiny daily writing prompts that encourage your imagination to go in any number of directions. For example, on February 5 you're encouraged to write something after, "When I woke the next morning ...." Then, on February 26, you are given this writing trigger: "The last time." On March 19: "You're in the backseat of a taxi." September 8: "____ is the color I remember." November 14: "The window had other views." November 7: "Secretly, I know my name is:_______." November 26: "This is what was left when he was gone." December 16: "I walked into the Maverick Bar in Farmington, N.M...."I once used a single four-word prompt seven days in a row and got a huge diversity of stories/essays out of those four words! That's what I like about this book. You learn to how to find your own creative triggers in the process of using Judy Reeves' suggestions.Judy Reeves gets the creative juices flowing without imposing an open-ended discipline that might intimidate new writers (such as Cameron's insistence on daily morning writing). The only other books that offer equally helpful writing prompts, in my opinion, are Elizabeth Bern's "Escaping Into the Open" or Beth Baruch Joselow's "Writing Without the Muse." But I seem to turn to this book more often. Prompts aren't the only attraction. Reeves talks about getting past your own internal critic, on locating or creating your own writing community, on writing habits of famous writers, and so forth. Reeves makes you feel as though you are part of a large, wonderful community of writers. You are no longer a fledgling writer, trembling in awe of The Great Ones. Reeves makes you feel as though you are already part of the team merely by participating: "Jump in, the water's fine!"Overall, a great book, laid out in armchair fashion. If you are too rigid with yourself and need structured prompts that will give you permission to be creative without cowering before your internal critic's towering agendas, then A Writer's Book of Days is really a must. It's the equivalent of a big, comforting hug in a small, cozy kitchen over a pot of tea.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. Judy Reeves provides a wealth of information on how to simply put pen to paper and let your imagination take control. Reeves' words give the writer support and encouragement to let his or her voice come through, and she has insights on how to successfully conquer writer's block. I actually felt like I was sitting in on one of her writing workshops.I hadn't taken the time to write anything in quite awhile because I felt burned out & nothing seemed to inspire my creative voice. Since I received Reeves' book several days ago, I have spent more time writing in that short period of time than I have in the previous 6 months. And in my writing sessions I could really feel the power of my words and imagination coming together. What's more, I can hardly wait to get started on the next day's writing exercise.This book has singlehandedly made me feel good about writing again. If you are stuck in a rut, A Writer's Book of Days will serve as a magnificent jumpstart. If your work is flowing smoothly, this book will make your writing--and the way you approach it--even better. I have a collection of writing books, but I know this is the one I will come back to again & again.

Judy Reeves has written a gem of a book--one that actually got me writing in a matter of minutes. I've been so busy with my writing web community that I told myself I wasn't going to look at my review copy of A Writer's Book of Days until after the first of the year. But once the book was in hand, I couldn't help but thumb through the pages. The stunning design and functional format hooked me immediately. Pretty soon I was reading--and the next thing you know, I was writing on one of the daily writing prompts the book offers. Imagine that--WRITING! I haven't had time for writing--just for the pleasure of it--in months. I've been writing three or more "practice pages" a day ever since, and loving every minute of it.A Writer's Book of Days is a wonderful motivational tool, but it's also a delicious book full of advice that will, quite simply, make you feel like writing. Reeves encourages practice writing, and includes a year's worth of "writing prompts" designed to jump-start the creative process. But don't dismiss this book as another new-agey volume on freewriting. It's as practical as it is motivational. Reeves' writing is personable and honest. Her book makes you feel as though you're sipping coffee with your favorite writing buddy, talking shop.I'll be offering my highest recommendation on the Coffeehouse for Writers website!

The inspiration for daily writing practice is non-stop in this book. The author provides endless sources for getting the creative juices flowing. This book makes a person feel the passion that writing is all about, and it's done with humour and thoughtful quotes. The advice is gentle and encouraging. No one can pick up this book and not put it down without feeling the strongest urge to write. We will survive this thing called "writing," and Ms. Reeves shows us how.

If anything will get you writing, this book will. Enough prompts to get even the most reluctant practicer going--much more fun that playing scales. This book provides companionship and direction, not to mention diversion in the form of lives of the writers information for when you need a word snack before you start your own work. As a writing teacher, I have all my students buy Judy's book.