Score: 92/100 (9.2 out of 10)
It's so ironic that we find ourselves writers blocked while reviewing a book about writing! This book is definitely a mixed bag. It's polarizing from a judging standpoint. On one hand, it opens readers' eyes to new and interesting techniques on unleashing their creative energies, something which—in theory—should translate to writing more freely, seamlessly, and with less inhibition. On the other hand, this book ventures into the somewhat bizarre realms of existentialism and esoteric spirituality—some things we definitely weren't prepared or ready for. No, we won't go so far as to compare to Dianetics--it's not that extreme. However, it almost reminded us of Dr. Scott Flagg's self-help book REAL PSYCHOLOGY or The Woo Woo Way by Sandy Evenson, both of which have found prior success in our contest. We make these comparisons because Breathe. Write. Breathe. by Lisa Tener doesn't really take the approach you would expect from a self-help book about writing. It's surprisingly metaphysical, dealing with intangible concepts like ki/qi/chi and chakras (similar to The Woo Woo Way)—things you'd expect to hear about in a martial arts or yoga class, not really a grounded book about writing. Unsurprisingly, Tener is a passionate Qigong practitioner and teacher. She talks about it a lot in this book. Some of the mind/mental/mindfulness practices in this book almost reminded us of the astral projecting that characters were doing in The Madigan Chronicles by Marieke Lexmond or With Love, From Planet B by Dr. Zaayin Salaam. In fact, there's even a section in here about being in touch with your dreams and your dream self similar to what the characters in With Love, From Planet B went through in exploring the dream-state technology in that book. This author does make a great point about this, writing and creativity: “All individuals are profoundly creative because we all dream.” This is an excellent quote attributed to an individual named Kari Hohne. It's definitely in contention for our “Best Quote” Special Award! So, why did this quote resonate with us so much? Well, it's because it says a lot about the imaginations and creativity that's locked away in ALL of us, often lying latent and untapped like a dream. Think about it: so many of us sit on our hands with our figurative tails between our legs saying that we can't do certain things involving our minds. We can't do math. We can't learn a new language. We can't write. We can't think of new things. Well, the truth of the matter is, our brains are capable of so much! The book reminds of this time and time again. Going back to what we were saying... think about it: despite all the negative things you might tell yourself about your inability to think and create, you have certainly dreamed. All people dream. That's literally the explanation for many of the prophetic visions that biblical prophets like Joseph and Daniel had—they were essentially oneiromancers (people who could interpret strange dreams). Likewise, dreams are literally a cornerstone of Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalysis. Heck, dreams are the foundation of psychoanalysis as a whole. So dreams, despite them not being tangible, physical things, still tell us a lot. It's not quackery. It's not nonsense. It's not having one's head in the clouds and being out of touch with reality. Dreams reveal latent thoughts, desires, and our creative imagination. With that said, this book is about unlocking that creative imagination and letting it flow rather than letting it be locked away like water behind a dam or a tiger in a cage. With that context in mind, this book actually has a phenomenal premise and a lot of promise! Indeed, Lisa Tener offers a refreshing and holistic approach to unlocking creativity and enhancing the writing process. Again, it's very unique and... different. The book's central premise is the integration of mindful movement, breathwork, and creative exercises to help writers overcome blocks, tap into their authentic voice, and maintain a state of creative flow. Tener, a seasoned writing coach, draws from various traditions. As alluded to before, this includes Qigong, yoga, and meditation, providing readers with practical tools that are both accessible and effective. We actually tried some of these techniques! They're pretty fun and interesting. We're not sure if they changed our lives, but they were worth giving them a go. Each chapter is structured around specific breathing and movement practices, followed by writing prompts that encourage exploration and experimentation. For example, practices like Qigong Bouncing and Abdominal Breathing are designed to relax the body and mind, making space for creativity to flourish. The inclusion of QR codes for video and audio guides adds an interactive dimension, making it easy for readers to engage with the exercises. Qigong Bouncing might be the thing about this book that stuck with us the most. Seriously! We found ourselves trying to bounce throughout the day, seeing if it got us more hyped and/or energetic. Honestly, it kinda worked! It reminded us of that hopping thing that Brock Lesnar and The Rock used to do before a match. We experienced a similar habit when we started tapping on random things, suppoedly to become more mindful and unlock our chakras on the advice of Sandy Evenson. The book also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a playful and curious attitude toward writing. Tener's own experiences and anecdotes, such as her encounter with a Buddhist nun during a visualization exercise, illustrate the profound impact that mindful practices can have on creativity and personal growth. The exercises are versatile, catering to writers at all levels, and are designed to be revisited and adapted over time. Now, in all honesty, the visualization discussions kinda made us raise our eyebrows and even laugh a little. It's not that they don't work, they just kinda sound... funny. On a lighter note, some of them are actually kinda cute, especially the ones that involve animals like the groundhog. Seriously, there are sections in here called “Groundhog Fantasy” and “Talk to the Animals.” Anyway, despite our mixed feelings, this is a truly worthwhile read. It is a valuable resource for writers seeking to enhance their creativity and find joy in the writing process. Its combination of practical exercises, inspirational guidance, and holistic approach makes it a unique and enriching addition to any writer's toolkit. The last thing we want to mention is that Lisa Tener is a very qualified person to learn from. Like we said, she's a certified Qigong teacher, but that's not all! She served on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and also has bachelor's and master's degrees from MIT! So, she's really someone who provides a wealth of wisdom. Check it out on Amazon!
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