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 eventually stop, shoving my manuscript into a drawer. I just thought I didn’t have enough talent or, as Mr. Keyes touches on in one chapter, that I was afraid of the reaction of family members if I were to write honestly. That is indeed one of my fears, but how relieved I was to learn that many, many writers feel the same way! After I finished the book, I immediately turned to my writing journal where I jot all kinds of notes, ideas, and such about my writing. I raved on and on about The Courage to Write, and even e-mailed Mr. Keyes a personal thanks for having inspired me. This is one book that will be referred to often.
Ellen Bales