Writing from the Heart

Aspiring writers have a friend in Aronie, founder of the Chilmark Writing Workshop on Martha's Vineyard, as well as an author of essays on writing that have frequently aired on National Public Radio. In this how-to manual on creative writing, she describes the difficulties of finding her writing voice as an adult, even though she'd won a journalism award in school. As well as giving inspiring advice for how to start writing on a regular basis, Aronie includes a wide variety of writing exercises designed to stimulate creativity. According to her, making time for solitude and learning to live in the present by listening and observing are basic to the writing process. Aronie believes that writing is one path to healing emotional pain through expressing previously unacknowledged feelings. She includes tips on getting published, but her emphasis here is on encouraging would-be writers to believe in themselves. (Feb.)