I’m reading Writing Alone and with Others by Pat Schneider, a wonderful book about writing. It is a particularly appropriate read here at the Folk School were education is noncompetitive and anyone can try on any art or craft to see how it fits their creative genius. 

This book was recommended to me by writing coach Carol Henderson (http://carolhenderson.com), and there’s a companion DVD available as well. But get the book no matter what.  Spend some time with it.  Soak up Schneider’s healthy approach to writing and to healing from all the past writing experiences that may be holding you back.  This book is perfect for the novice writer, but also an important read for the accomplished writer and anyone who teaches writing.  In the introduction, Peter Elbow, author of Writing Without Teachers, points to Schneider’s Five Essential Affirmations:

1)      Everyone has a strong, unique voice

2)      Everyone is born with creative genius.

3)      Writing as an art form belongs to all people, regardless of economic class or educational level.

4)      The teaching of craft can be done without damage to the writer’s original voice or artistic self-esteem.

5)      A writer is someone who writes.

Alongside this nurturing approach, Elbow points out, “Schneider [also] keeps her focus on the main things: writing, taking the writer seriously as an artist, and insisting on the bottom line—good work. (Schneider, ix-x)

This is an outstanding book for the individual writer or writing teacher, and a great book for writing groups. It’s loaded with exercises to do alone and in group. Schneider spends a section of the book discussing how to create and lead an effective, supportive, safe, and yet challenging group.  And she has lots of satisfied and published students to attest to her approach.

Scene Storm Word List plucked from random pages of Writing Alone and with Others by Pat Schneider:

catch

habit

backwards

material

button box

point

brood

black

snap

hair