Comments on: The Writer’s Mentor, by Cathleen Rountree

Comment on The Writer’s Mentor, by Cathleen Rountree by: Aibal, the Do Follow Blog

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:37:25 +0000

Forgive my belated comment… But I’ve heard of The Writer’s Mentor from various friends and it sounds like a good investment. I like how you described its structure. It kind of reminds me of a FAQ, which is exactly the type of material I look for when I need advice quickly.

Comment on The Writer’s Mentor, by Cathleen Rountree by: Barbara W. Klaser

Sat, 04 Jun 2005 01:13:16 +0000

Sarah, I’m glad the review helped you remember that technique. It sounds like a great idea. In one section of The Writer’s Mentor Cathleen Rountree mentions making word lists, and she describes a photograph of Henry Miller at his writing desk where there are sheets of paper containing lists of words, with the heading, “Words to use.” Poemcrazy, by Susan Goldsmith Woolridge also has some similar ideas for collecting words.

Comment on The Writer’s Mentor, by Cathleen Rountree by: Sarah

Fri, 03 Jun 2005 21:29:22 +0000

Barbara, your blog entry just resurrected the memory of a writing technique I haven’t used in years, but I think I’ll try it again:

I have always loved certain words–for the evocation of memories, for the word’s texture or rhythm, or in some cases because the word tickled my funny bone.

Years ago I kept 3×5 cards on my desk and a marker alongside. When, during the course of the day, I came across one of those words that grabbed my attention, I took the marker and printed it on a 3×5 card. Over the course of several months I had accumulated quite a nice little stack of fabulous words.

Whenever I had one of those awful moments–keyboard ready, fingers poised and not a thought in the brain–I’d pull out my cards and start flipping through them. My eye was sure to be captured by one of the words and I would start writing about it. No matter that the word and what I was writing had no relationship whatsoever about the real purpose to my writing; I had got started and in the flow and was past the initial inertia.

Thanks for the memory jog!

Comment on The Writer’s Mentor, by Cathleen Rountree by: Barbara W. Klaser

Fri, 03 Jun 2005 03:15:38 +0000

Georganna, I’d be delighted. Thank you for asking. I just sent you an email.

Comment on The Writer’s Mentor, by Cathleen Rountree by: Georganna Hancock

Fri, 03 Jun 2005 02:15:06 +0000

Thanks for the great review, especially explaining why you would promote writers at least giving this resource a look. I’d like to put a copy of your review (with a link to your blog, of course, if you like) on my writing group’s website. Let me know if that’s O.K. (or not).