Let the Crazy Child Write!: Finding Your Creative Writing Voice

When I moved to Lake County, I began studying writing with Clive Matson and it changed my life. Not just my writing life, but my life. This year I achieved my dream of publishing my first book, "Sightlines: A Poet's Diary." In my acknowledgements, I say thank you to "Clive Matson, who said I could." This is the heart of "Let the Crazy Child Write: Finding Your Creative Writing Voice". . . letting writers and human beings know that what is beating within the heart of them is needed and needs to come out to be heard. I continue to stand by my original review, posted in 2000. "Let the Crazy Child Write" is a touchstone writing book. Janet Grace Riehl, author, "Sightlines: A Poet's Diary"

This book simply helped me access the part of my mind that does not edit out all the good stuff that comes naturally to mind. It is a positive approach to writing and encouraged me to stick at it and write, write, write. I recommed it to anyone who wants to tell a story using words.

Writers working to master their craft can find no better sourcebook than _Let the Crazy Child Write_. In this book Clive Mattson condensed years of direct experience learning about the writing process through teaching writers from all walks of life. His lucid exposition and easy-to-understand examples help writers everywhere secure the door of their judging mind to make opening their deeper minds safe. Then, "pen" writes fluidly and from a place of authentic feeling not marred by second guessing. This approach reduces the energy spent on resistence, freeing up a vast storehouse to draw on for truer, bolder work.

This wonderful book gave me techniques and permission to directly tap into my creative source. I was able to feel the difference between my normal struggle to write, with the inner critic stomping on every phrase, and the experience of the FLOW, where I've tapped into the source, the muse. The crazy child wasn't crazy after all! This book helped me open into a vision of my writing as a constant flowing well. I've read and worked with a lot of the great writing books; Goldberg, Dillard, Lamott, Gardner, and "Let the Crazy Child Write" takes it one step deeper. Write now, edit later!

In reading "Let The Crazy Child Write", I discovered permission. Permission to write my words down. Permission to give myself permission and to he-double-hockey-sticks with anyone who disagreed with those words I chose to write. Clive Matson has taken many years of writing seminars and "simmered" everything down to this book. Besides the written word, he touches base on plays, essays and poetry, giving you the basic architecture that you can take to the bank (or the typewriter) if you so choose. And I believe you will choose to pick up that pen after reading this book. He explains about the negatives that get in your way, giving them names, identities that you can recognize when the "nasties" hit, he uses words like "gay" and "Goddess" putting you at ease that he isn't one of "them" that says the written word can only appear one way or it doesn't count. He uses humor and an innate intelligence combined with a great love for writing to get his point across. He uses insights that I learned in Philosophy readings. Clive assures you that you and what you write DO count. And then shows you how to write it. Don't let the quarrels between your Crazy Child and your Editor stop your pen. Learn about them and how to work with them at the appropriate times. To quote Ellen, "Buy The Book!" You won't be sorry. And then e-mail him and thank him. He is worth it.