David Keyes

This book does not attempt to teach the craft or writing, such as plotting, characterization, dialog, etc., nor is it appropriate for non-fiction writing. Keyes’s intent is to help the aspiring novelist deal with the fear of writing, which may be interpreted as the fear of exposure and/or rejection before our peers and family. Keyes …

I recommend this book to all of my classes, workshops, in most of my speeches and everywhere online. Keyes directly addresses the fears that so many writers (most writers, I think) are prey to and then gives coping strategies. The worst thing about writing is that the longer you do it, the harder it gets, …

I usually read more fiction than anything else, as I am a fiction writer myself. The Courage to Write is without a doubt the best non-fiction I have read in years–maybe ever! … For decades I have wondered what was wrong with me, why I would write for a while and then lose momentum and …

I am a writer and have spent the past two years desperately trying to finish two business books. Until I read The Courage to Write, I couldn’t figure out why I was having such a hard time finishing what I had started. Now I get it. This book has helped my understand that what I …

I use this book sort of as a reference, to meditate on. It’s reassuring to know that my anxiety need not interfere with writing. This book brings me back to the view that anxiety is only so much background noise. I also re-title it sometimes as “The Courage to Query”! Linda Moran

The hardest part of being a freelance writer is finding the courage to put your neck on the line. First, when you open yourself up to write, whether its fiction, non-fiction or a letter to your best friend, you have to open up about yourself to bring life to the writing. Secondly, writers need the …