Shambhala, 2007, 211 Pages
I very much enjoyed Writing Begins with the Breath. I first picked the book up because I took several creative writing classes with Laraine Herring when she taught at Phoenix Community College a few years ago before moving to Prescott to Yavapai Community College. I recognized some of the stories and lessons in the book from class lectures, and I found myself falling into the familiar rhythms of Herring’s voice.
But even if a reader did not know Herring, her writing is interesting and informative. She alternates between discussing how the body can store memories and how the body can both help and hinder the writing process. Each chapter begins with a thoughtful or inspiring quotation whose main idea is the focus of that chapter.
Each chapter also includes a Body Break, where Herring offers a physical movement or pose that can relax a writer, wake a writer up, or help to channel oxygen or energy to a part of the body that might help the writing process. Herring explains why writers should try to practice Body Breaks, and the principles seem soundly grounded in yoga, meditation, or brain theory practices.
The end of each chapter also includes Touchstone exercises where a writer can attempt several prompts that relate to the content of that chapter. This is another useful tool for writers who need springboards for writing practice.
The book is broken into three main parts: Focusing on the Mind, The Deep Writing Process, and Embracing What and Where You Are. Within these sections, Herring explores how a writer can use his or her life experiences for both fiction and non-fiction writing, as well addressing how to reach a deeper, more authentic writing voice. Some of this advice is similar to other writing books, but Herring adds a twist here and there by returning to a more metaphysical level with the writing practices through the use of breath, body memory work, and challenging deep writing exercises. Herring is clear that hers is a process book, rather than a book that explores the finer points of craft, like grammar and shaping plot.
I would recommend Writing Begins with the Breath to a writer looking to experiment with how to access writing ideas in new ways or for someone interested in drawing more traditional meditation techniques into his or her daily writing practices.
You can follow Laraine Herring's blog here.
