The Complete Writer's Kit: Everything You Need to Get Inspired, Get Writing, and Get Published [With Cards]

I've gotten a lot of writing books, and quite a few by Natalie Goldberg, (all of which I heartily recommend). Her contribution is what got me interested in the kit in the first place. The idea of a self contained kit for writing is a good idea. It's packaged nicely, in a heavy pasteboard cover and a magnetic catch. Scott Edelstein writes the how to book "30 Steps to Becoming a Writer". I've heard most of these points before, but there is always some new insight from each author and the step by step way that he uses seems to be more manageable than other similar books. I find, even with all my practice,that a few points of his has quickly been assimilated into my daily work. Scott puts a considerable emphasis on getting published, the commonly held point where you become a 'real writer' and the kit includes a smaller book of his on how to get published. Just the sight of that little book seems to make that dream of being published easier to attain. Natalie's contribution, besides her Introduction, is a little pack of cards with quotes from authors. I like quotes. They pack a punch that entire chapters don't always convey. (One reason I like Peter McWilliams' Life 101 series - lots of good quotes.) Though I remember an anecdote about a college professor of Creative Writing telling his 7 year old daughter that he taught people to write. The child was incredulous. "You mean they forgot?" Everyone can write. It doesn't have to be published for you to be a writer. The act of writing makes you a writer.

I purchased this book set because of the Natalie Goldberg connection, and since I wrote a thesis on her works, I like to keep up with her publications. Her card set is fun - but really if you want inspiration, copies of Wild Mind and Writing Down the Bones is a better choice. If you are new to the writing/publishing business, this is a well written book, with some good advise. If you are an old hand, you may find this too simple. However, if you are a giving a gift to a new writer, the packaging of the kit makes a great gift.

I had the earlier version, "30 Steps to Becoming a Writer - And Getting Published." The book has been updated in some spots (like where he discusses computers), and some chapters reshuffled. It's my absolute favorite book on writing, particularly the chapter titled "Forget the Have-To's." He rightly points out that writers can really only tell you what has worked for *them* as individuals but it often comes out to beginners as absolutes such as "You must write every day." "You must have a specific place to write." And so on. I keep a copy of that chapter right over my PC. Among other tips, he suggests various ways to use a writer's notebook, if you choose to, and discusses setting goals that work for you. The kit includes a deck of cards with quotes by Natalie Goldberg. If you've read "Writing Down The Bones," they won't be new to you, but the cards are a useful pocket-sized reminder. If you haven't read her books, it's a nice addition. There's also a mini-book that is basically the book's main points on publication distilled to a portable format. All in all, this book changed my perspective on writing, and got me writing again after a long, dry spell.