The Way of the Woman Writer

Janet Lynn Roseman

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2014
• eBook ISBN: 9781317718994
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Creative Writing
• Index: Social Sciences

The Way of the Woman Writer, Second Edition continues the work of the inspirational original, offering guidance to women who wish to document their lives in writing. More a template than a how-to manual, this insightful book addresses the concerns, needs, and issues of women writers (both aspiring and experienced), concentrating on the internal process of putting thought to paper, including new chapters on the creative process and the ethics and integrity of writing. The author, Dr. Janet Lynn Roseman, offers writing exercises in women's autobiography that draw on the significant rhythms of a woman's life, utilizing visualization and meditation techniques to amplify the inner writing voice.

From the author: "What strikes me in re-examining the text of this book is just how timeless the subject of chronicling women's lives is. When we pass down our stories and share them with family and friends, we provide future generations with the opportunity to not only understand the lives of each woman, but we are able to gain insight into their unique experiences."

The Way of the Woman Writer, Second Edition includes new writing samples and new chapters on:

• "The Creative Spirit," which presents a seven-step guide to the creative process-ritual, surrender, silence, waiting, trust, recognition, and distance
• "The Ethics and Integrity of Writing," which addresses the discipline and courage a writer needs when dealing with the effects of her autobiographical "truths" on others

The Way of the Woman Writer, Second Edition is an essential resource for creative writing courses, oral history courses, writer's workshops, and women's studies programs, and an invaluable guide for any woman who wishes to tell her story.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction to the Second Edition
• Chapter 1. The Alchemy of the Writing Process
• Chapter 2. The Creative Spirit
• Chapter 3. On Writing Women’s Autobiography
• Chapter 4. In the Habit of Writing
• Chapter 5. A Room of One’s Own
• Chapter 6. Creating Personal Power Shields
• Chapter 7. A Woman’s Ritual
• Chapter 8. Writing a Woman’s Life: Trust versus Fear
• Chapter 9. Mothers and Daughters: Understanding the Template of Our Lives
• Chapter 10. Special People in a Woman’s Life
• Chapter 11. Reclaiming Our Feminine Bodies
• Chapter 12. Passages in a Woman’s Life
• Chapter 13. Spiritual Moments in a Woman’s Life
• Chapter 14. Listening to Your Writer’s Voice
• Chapter 15. On Ethics and Integrity
• Contributors
• Index