Writing Motherhood

I walked through my local Barnes and Noble recently and, as always, headed for the Writing Books. It surprised me, although I don't really know why, to find a couple brand new books written specifically for Moms-who-are-writers as well as another title for "busy women." Intriguing. Of the books I read, Lisa Garrigues "Writing Motherhood" is the most in tune with what it means to "be" a writer, not someone who is obsessed with publishing or looking for a recipe book to achieve this or that in 7 hours or 14 days or instant-success, this is a book that is realistic, heartful and a powerful guide for mothers who want to write motherhood and so much more. She gives specific tips and techniques as she shares stories of how these tips and techniques have worked for herself and others, including a section on "Mother's Helpers" and 7 Building Blocks for Success. She also pays respect to the concept of having a Writer's Notebook that serves a dual purpose as a Mother's Notebook. I am a longtime fan of folks who write in notebooks like Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg, so this struck a significant cord for me as well. We Moms-who-write need to train ourselves to write in small, heartful chunks. Garrigues is an able guide for us along this journey. This is a book to have on your shelf, to pick up and use - to refer back to regularly.

I've read countless books on writing. I've attended various classes to educate myself on the writing process. I'm even married to a writer. But nothing has inspired me more than Lisa Garrigues' Writing Motherhood. What makes this book different is the author's innate understanding of the complex beauty of motherhood - with its constant rattle and hum, push and pull amid life's most mundane tasks. I remember thinking, "this woman really gets it," when reading about Garrigues' personal, often humorous, sometimes bittersweet experiences as a wife, mother, sister and friend. But what's best about this book is how Garrigues inspires writers to tell their own stories through very creative writing "invitations," or exercises meant to jumpstart the writing and memory recollection process. These invitations have taught me ways to view my life experiences from a different angle, and then write what I see. And I haven't stopped writing since. Buy this book.

I love this book! Even though I've only read the first few chapters, it has inspired me to document my life as both a mother and a daughter. I plan on reading this book slowly, savoring each chapter, and responding to its writing invitations. A great mother's day gift! I'll give one to all the mothers in my family!

I'm hooked! Writing Motherhood is wonderful and original and universal and accessible. I have the great good fortune of living in Bergen County, NJ and taking Lisa Garrigues's class "Writing Motherhood" which she transformed so incredibly into this book. Buy the book and read it and write with it and get some other moms involved and write together - like we have - and I promise you will discover the sweetest opportunities to save and savor stories in your motherhood journey that you can easily and quickly record via Lisa's delicious and supportive ideas. It is a must have, a must do and a must GIVE (Mother's Day!). The best part of the book Writing Motherhood and Lisa's entire concept, is that you don't have to be a writer or believe you are a great writer. She has you "throw away the rules" - this is not a place for a grammar book or synonym finder! It is a place to pour out your heart and get your stories down since the kids are growing and time is going so fast! Lisa is very encouraging and just so engaging with her ability to inspire you - she does offer gentle suggestions to improve your writing craft just to help you better express your ideas and bring a vivid clarity to your writing - beginner or not. I don't have time for the scrapbooks or baby books and when I tried to journal I tended to complain (who wants to give THAT to her son?). It's easier to imagine giving these writings as letters or gifts or even typing up and then framing a good one next to a special photo. Writing Motherhood has helped me remember the best feelings and thoughts of my new life, work through the challenging parts, capture specific memories that normally might get lost in life's shuffle, and find peace and comfort in doing something for myself that I can count on. You can too - in only 15 minutes a day. Being a mother does not shut down your intellectual or adult creativity - it is a whole new world from which to write. Writing Motherhood brings you and that world together. We have Lisa Garrigues to thank for that.

I could have saved myself a lot of heartache if I'd had this book years ago. It's so comforting to read the thoughtful and (sometimes painfully) honest reflections of another mother. The parts about dealing with teenagers are a joy - thank goodness it's not just me and my daughter! The description of the teenage love-you/hate-you syndrome really tickled me. Now that my daughter is fourteen, I try hard to be calm and reflective (hah!), and I've used a couple of the invitations to write as an opportunity to direct my frustration elsewhere - very helpful. (I just won't be able to let her read them until she's much, much older. If ever.)