Playful Way to Serious Writing

The Playful Way to Serious Writing:

An Anything-Can-Happen Workbook to Inspire and Delight

Published by Houghton Mifflin

Drawing on extensive experience in teaching creative writing and a lifetime of free creative expression, Roberta Allen, short story writer, novelist, and author of FAST FICTION, has created a unique book of writing exercises, packed with hundreds of verbal directives and visual cues. More than a writing guide, THE PLAYFUL WAY TO SERIOUS WRITING is a sourcebook of ideas and a trusted creative companion.

For anyone who has ever dreaded the blank page or struggled to find something to write, then agonized over how best to write it, THE PLAYFUL WAY TO SERIOUS WRITING breaks down writing barriers and frees the writer within.

The key, Allen says, is ENERGY, "the force behind the words, the desire to bring forth something that has never before existed." Here, Allen sets forth her ENERGY METHOD, which focuses creativity without interruption or that nagging inner critic. This method can be used for any type of creative effort at any level--stories, novels, plays, memoirs, sketches, journals. Attractive, engaging, funny, and free ranging, THE PLAYFUL WAY TO SERIOUS WRITING will appeal to writers of all ages and is an invaluable teaching tool.

Advance Praise for The Playful Way to Serious Writing

"Probably the only how-to-write book that will guarantee results...Roberta Allen's approach turns the dread of writing into a creative, puzzle-solving adventure. Her empasis on energy goes right to the heart of the matter of how you proceed to transmute feelings into workable prose. Reading this book, I gasped with admiration. "

--Anne Bernays, author of What If?

"Roberta Allen's book has the same qualities as a wonderful teacher: It tells you where to look but not what to see; it offers freedom but doesn?t set you adrift; it provides substance without overwhelming, and sustenance without smothering. If you?ve been looking for the writing book to get you started and keep you going, this is it."

-- Alan Ziegler, Chair, Writing Division, Columbia University School of the Arts

"Roberta Allen manages the nearly impossible here: a workbook provocation to new writing that is witty, shrewd, often wondrous, and a book to be returned to again and again. Most writing guides devolve into therapy. But "The Playful Way to Serious Writing" aspires to art."

-- Robert Polito, Director Graduate Writing Program, New School University

"In this delightful book, Roberta Allen guides you to unleash your creative energy. If you practice her method sincerely you'll never experience "writer's block" again. And, you'll awaken new perceptions and perspectives that will expand and enrich your world."

-- Michael J. Gelb, author of "How to Think Like Leonardo daVinci" and " Discover Your Genius"

"Not since Brian Eno's 'Oblique Strategies' have I found a more creative and helpful collection of ideas and methods to shake myself out of patterns and get me out of big jams. This is a brilliant book!"

--Laurie Anderson, Performance Artist

"The Playful Way to Serious Writing is the perfect guidebook for people who don't believe in such things. Roberta Allen's clever, oblique exercises capture the mystery behind essential, tiny details and offer direction while leaving room for the individual imagination to soar."

--Ken Foster, author of The Kind I'm Likely to Get; editor of The KGB Bar Reader

"So much of the enterprise of writing is about finding your voice, your material and your courage. Roberta Allen's dynamic workbook can be a vital companion on that journey."

-- Elizabeth Benedict, author of Almost and The Joy of Writing Sex: A Guide For Fiction Writers

"Roberta Allen's approach recognizes the serious creative beneifts of being playful. Her unique book helps reawaken the writer to discovery and surprise."

-- Dennis Palumbo, psychotherapist and author of Writing from the Inside Out

"Roberta Allen manages to accomplish the impossible -- inspiration from a "how to book". By using the methods Allen recommends you will discover the gifted writer within, the powerful inner voice lurking behind the fear."

-- Rabbi Yehuda Berg, author of THE POWER OF KABALLAH

A refreshing, unpretentious, fun, and disarming book for any writer who wants to loosen up and break out of a frump slump. Allen's book is especially useful for young or beginning writers who only think they have no good ideas for stories; how quickly they will be relieved to see just how wrong they are."

-- Brad Watson, Briggs-Copeland Lecturer at Harvard University

"This book is to writing what a dousing rod is to finding water. Roberta Allen enables us to tap into that inner energy we need to make words -- and ourselves -- come alive."

-- Hannelore Hahn, Founder & Executive Director, International Women's Writing Guild

Praise from Critics, Readers, Teachers, and Workshop Participants

"I am touched and inspired by your book. My high school students struggle daily with writer's block and often have trouble coming up with project ideas. I am very excited to use your book in my classroom. Thank you so much for sharing it."

--Elizabeth Lawrence, teacher & filmmaker, IL.

"At the first meeting of our group, we used your amazing book. It made us feel funny and alive and unselfconscious. We will be using it again and again!"

--Ann Burnell, western Nassau County

"I've never had so much fun with a book on writing before. Fun is very important when you have Multiple Sclerosis. Sometimes MS makes it difficult to get up in the morning. This is where your book has been the biggest help. Every page is a new adventure, so I'm totally motivated to work past the discomfort, crawl out of bed and write.

This past week I realized how committed I've become to my morning writing. I had another light stroke. Nevertheless, the next morning, I worked my way to the computer, pulled out your book and still managed to pull off a five minute story. It did wonders."

--Yochana Coleman

"I was so amazed that I started "seeing" stories instantly just glancing at the photos in THE PLAYFUL WAY TO SERIOUS WRITING that I also purchased THE PLAYFUL WAY TO KNOWING YOURSELF. Since then I have been happily doing the exercises from both of them."

--Mary Ann Osinski, Social Worker, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

"I had such a productive year of writing. Thank you for your support, advice, and encouragement. It's a risk getting up and reading in front of others but I always feel safe when I read in your group."

--Beth Halliday

"I really appreciated your workshop."

--Sue Buck, New York, NY

"Thanks for a great class."

--Liz Donnelly, Creative Director, McCann Ericson, NYC

"Allen's workbook is full of fun, quick and easy exercises to get your creative juices flowing, and maybe make you feel a little bit like a kid again, too."

--Samantha Puckett, The St. Petersburg Times

"I just wanted to let you know that I caught your interview on the radio today. I'm so glad that my boyfriend had the chance to hear you speak about the Energy Method, because I have been raving about it ever since I took your workshop. The best story I?ve ever written came from the exercise in your new book about "finding the missing spoons?" Thank you again for your wisdom, and for providing us aspiring writers with such a wonderful technique!"

--Kim Levering, Student, New York, New York

"I loved FAST FICTION, but this new book is even better! I'm using it to teach creative writing to my college students and they love it! I love it for my own work too."

--K. E. Boyle, College Teacher & Writer, East Palestine, Ohio

"Roberta's workshop is a joy!"

--Kathy Frey, Artist, New York, New York

"I loved your workshop. It was the best thing I've done for myself in a long time!"

--R. Croce, housewife, Franklin Square, NY

"The workshop passed so fast! I thought I had been writing for about an hour when I discovered that three hours had passed! I feel so fortunate to have found you, not only for your workshops. Your writing has given me a standard of excellence to aim for; think of me as a disciple."

--Margaret Willard, Writer, New York, New York

"By the end of three hours, I couldn't believe the power in my pen and the range of material I had covered."

--Diana McCourt, Writer, New York, New York

"I don't know where all my writing comes from?but that's the joy of this method: you never know what to expect. When I let myself go, just guided by the exercises, I uncover a new story every time."

--Ioana Barza, Brooklyn, Economist, Brooklyn, New York

"I am a Lutheran pastor in Philadelphia. I am also a trained psychotherapist. My congregation is in an economically and racially mixed area. Recently, I ran a six week writing program for children ages 9-11. Half the children were from stable, two parent family homes; the other half lived in crack houses filled with much chaos. Amazing things happened in this program. For the individual wriitng experiences, I used your book, adapting the exercises for shorter periods of time. The kids loved it!

"I am involved in a program with the Washington Psychoanalytic Foundation that explores writing in the area of psychoanalysis. I have recommended your book, and it was offered for sale at our last gathering."

--Violet Little, Lutheran Pastor & Psychotherapist, Philadelphia, PA

"I love THE PLAYFUL WAY TO SERIOUS WRITING and recommend it in the classes I teach at the local university."

-- Sheri McConnell, Founder and President, National Association of Women Writers

"What a great way to exercise my writing skills! I was instantly amazed at what great thoughts emerge when you don't anticipate them. Thanks for being such a wonderful inspiration!"

-Joli Lauban

Praise for Roberta's One-To-One Coaching

For the past 20 years, I have been absolutely petrified to write. I was able to get through my Ph.D. dissertation, but soon afterwards I became almost phobic about writing. Within a week of working with Roberta, I was writing. She was funny, direct, compassionate, cajoling and absolutely tenacious about my being able to write. Her techniques worked and worked quickly. I?ve written more in 2 weeks than I have in 2 decades--with no sweat, anxiety, tension headache or avoidance despair.

--Suzanne McMurphy, Ph.D, Philadelphia, PA

"You really identified where I should add to my novel and where I should cut. When I incorporated your suggestions, my chapters felt more complete, more profound. Your recommendations have been sublime!

--Sherry Ellis, MA

"It seems incredible that I have actually completed a novel. Roberta provided the motivation and kept my enthusiasm alive for the two years it took. She is a personal trainer, a pal and a compassionate teacher. With all this, she let me write my own book.

-D. Worden, Florida

I had participated in Roberta Allen's workshops for almost four years when I moved to Philadelphia. I was so satisfied with the improvement in my writing that I continued taking the workshop even after I moved. Six years later I am working with her privately by email and phone.

-Julie Price, Pennsylvania