The Courage to Write: How Writers
Transcend Fear by Ralph Keyes
A Must For The Aspiring Writer
Katherine Anne Porter called courage “the first essential” for a writer. E.B.
White said that he admired anyone who “has the guts to write anything at
all.” In The Courage to Write, Ralph Keyes assures us that anxiety is felt
by writers at every level, especially when they dare to do their best. He
describes the sequence of “courage points” through which all writers must
pass, from the challenge of identifying a worthwhile project to the mixture
of pride and panic they feel when examining a newly published book or
article. Keyes also offers specifics on how to root out dread of public
“performance” and of the judgment of family and friends, make the best
use of writers’ workshops and conferences, and handle criticism of works
in progress. Throughout, he includes the comments of many accomplished
writers on how they transcended their own fears to produce great works.
This invaluable book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to learn
how to write well.

Personal Review: The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend
Fear by Ralph Keyes
I suggest anyone even contemplating a writing career or avocation should
read this book first. Keyes pulls no punches, but tells it pretty much as it is:
a lonely activity with little assurance of recognition or financial security. But
he goes into why people write, and what traits are probably part of their
personality. The reasons why people write are not always flattering: the
desire for revenge of an "I'll show 'em" kind; the desire for a form of
immortality; and sometimes raw ego. Still, writers are human and even
though they may sometimes try to change the world with their writing, they
shouldn't be held to a higher standard that most other professionals.
Writing does take courage because if you write with authenticity you
expose yourself, and yet that self is vulnerable to criticism or outright
rejection, not only by publishers, but by family members or readers, your
life-blood. Keyes touches on all the things that have haunted me over the
years, when I resisted the desire to risk everything in pursuit of a career
that had no guarantees.
I could talk about this book at great length, but maybe I should save the
effort for my own project. I rate this book very highly. It's encouraging while
disillusioning; it's hopeful and optimistic even while it rubs your nose in
reality. Read this book first, all of you writer wannabes, and I'll be surprised
if you don't re-read it at low points on your path. It is not a book that shows
you how to write, but gives you motives and insights for actually sitting
down and writing. The author has a readable style and his quotes from
various professional writers will remind you that you're not alone in your
fears that lead to finding excuses to delay writing. Most writers dread the
task of writing, but enjoy tremendously the fact of having written.
Sometimes you feel this joy when you've done something well, but
between the beginning and the ending there's many a hard slog uphill.
After reading this book, I thought I might buy another of his works. I think
you will, too.
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