Breathing In, Breathing Out: Keeping a Writer's Notebook

The basic premise of this book is a good one--that keeping a writer's notebook can be an invaluable aid to germinating pieces of writing later. I was disappointed in it, though, because in giving examples, Mr. Fletcher mostly drew on his own notebooks rather than those of any other writers, and furthermore, although I am very sorry to say this, I found about 85% of his notebook entries trite. (To give him the benefit of the doubt, this might be because he is a guy and evidently thunderstruck about the complexity of emotions--it doesn't necessarily have to do with the quality of his writing.) Here's a typical example:This Christmas everyone's healthy. The whole house is decorated. So why all this tension in the family? Where's it coming from?Needless to say, this is hardly a dazzling insight since by now this theme has been explored in books, articles, movies, and Hallmark cards. Even this would be okay, though, if he were to include some non-trite creation that resulted from an entry like this, so that the point would be something like, "Flaubert wrote 'Madame Bovary' after he was struck by and made a notebook entry about 'the banality of lamb chops on a butcher's list'--and you can too."The book would have been far more effective if he had used mostly examples of notebook entries from great writers alongside whatever finished piece of writing resulted from them, perhaps retaining some version of the expository text that is currently between the examples. I wouldn't buy it again.

Fletcher's book not only inspires the reader to write but gives the writer permission to use a writer's notebook in any way that will facilitate the flow of ideas for that particular writer. He provides guidelines without stifling creativity. I think this book is a must read for writers, students of writing, and teachers of writing. He explains the notebook in such a way that the reader almost covets such a book in which to record meaningful thoughts, ideas, events, lists, etc. Providing examples from his own notebook as well as other authors', he shows that the notebook isn't always neat and beautiful, that it is sometimes a safe place to fail at writing, and that it incubates thoughts and ideas for possible later evaluation and expansion. I, honestly, cannot say enough good things about this book!

Delivered as promised

Great book! Fletcher outlines a lot of great ideas and strategies for using a writer's notebook.

eextremely thoughtful and inspiring

Amazing ideas for journal writing. Easy read.

In Breathing In, Breathing Out, Ralph Fletcher empowers the reader with the concept of a writer's notebook. Through realistic and exposing examples, Fletcher shows not only the workings of his own writer's notebook but also those of other authors, published and non-published alike. Written in a logical order of digestible chapters, Fletcher guides his reader through what may be uncharted territory, ultimately succeeding at sharing his suggestions of nonconformity for writing. As a teacher, Fletcher's book has assisted me in not only rethinking my own writer's notebook but how I use writing notebooks in my classes as well. Though a good read, the limitations of Breathing In, Breathing Out are limited to classroom use, though with some hands-on application work it easily could be adapted for any classroom.

Fletcher leads the reader through the value of keeping a writer's notebook in his easy read Breathing In, Breathing Out. He offers valuable insights, experiences and ideas as to how to begin, keep, and find inspiration for a writer's notebook. Although this book does not lay out practical applications for the classroom, it does speak easily to those who like to write.