Writing Begins with the Breath

Laraine Herring’ s distinctive new approach to the writing craft provides a welcome jump-start for new writers— and will open up a whole world of creativity for people who may not have considered themselves writers before— while also providing keen insights into the craft for seasoned writers. Her secret is to move the focus of the writing process out of the mind and into the body— particularly the breath— to give writers access to that place in themselves where body, mind, and spirit are one. This is the place of “ non-doing, ” where we are unattached to any particular outcome. The writing that arises from this place in ourselves is unique, expressive, and profoundly authentic. The process, which she calls “ deep writing, ” has had a transformative effect on writers in her classes. Readers will learn how to: Stay with their writing when their minds or bodies beg for them to keep moving Explore each of the five senses in their writing Focus their attention on both the process of writing and the actual text being written (being attentive to character, scene, and so on) Approach their writing without judgment, and reach a natural creative flow in their writing practice Exercises follow each chapter to help writers integrate the book’ s concepts.