I happened to spot Dear Writer on a page for an online bookstore. I will fully confess that the name Maggie Smith jumped out at me and made me do a double-take. If you had the same reaction, I will tell you now that this Maggie Smith is a poet. She’s garnered her own fame, too. Her poem “Good Bones” went viral and makes the occasional resurgence during tough times.
My stumbling upon the book actually came at the perfect moment. I was trying to get out of a creative/crafting rut after not really making anything for months. Reading the subtitle, Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life, this seemed like something that could be useful. And that it was!
Smith opens the book noting its versatility. She explains that anything can be creative, including problem-solving. While her opening letters, examples, and activities in each chapter do very much focus on writing, she shares reflections on what she considers are the key elements to all creativity: attention, wonder, vision, surprise, play, vulnerability, restlessness, connection, tenacity, and hope.
Smith’s essays are filled with a wealth of wisdom and inspiration that anyone can use for any endeavor, traditionally creative ones or not. I would find myself pausing to sit and absorb certain passages, re-reading some again even. (I can probably count on one hand how many books have made me do that.)
Equal parts instructional and poignant, Dear Writer is a great read for writers, artists, creators, and anyone trying to find different ways to approach other kinds of output. Tip: You will probably want to jot some things down, so have a paper and pen at the ready.
