“Unhooked: How Young Women Pursue Sex, Delay Love and Lose at Both” by Laura
Sessions Stepp (2007)
If you’re writing about young women and you’re over 30, this is a book to read (or download an
abridgement from www.audible.com the way I did).
Interviews three high school girls and six college women over a year helped Stepp write an insightful
study of the affect sexual practices is having on young women (and men). She observes how the
“hookup” culture affects the way women behave now and speculates how it will affect how they build
relationships and look for love in the future.
Stepp explores a society where oral sex is ordinary, but dating and holding hands is “yucky” and women
looking for success don’t have time for “real relationships.” She shows these exceptional women,
scholars and athletes, who seem able to do it all. She talks to them about pressures placed on them by
a post feminist society, their views of their parents marriages, and the feelings of empowerment
hooking up provides.
The author has done good research and presents the material sympathetically, avoiding sensationalism—
not easy with this edgy topic.
Worst-case Scenarios Handbooks
Having trouble writing that action scene? Even if you’ve never been in a sword flight, escaped from a
sinking car, or fought off a shark, do not despair, the Worst-Case Scenario books can help.
The authors have more recently gone beyond survival skills and gone into he dangerous waters of travel
and holidays and work. www.worstcasescenarios.com
Worst-Case Survival Handbook: Dating and Sex by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht and Jennifer
Worick (also in audio). This book is a romantic comedy. It offers great ideas for dealing with
awkward situations like removing difficult clothing and determining the gender of your date,
scientifically. It includes a “Dear [fill in ex-lovers name] form letter” to end a relationship.
The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers and Rogues by George Choundas
(Writers Digest Books, 2007)
Choundas claims his book includes every pirate reference in film, TV, literature, and historical
accounts over the last three centuries. Entries have sources, though many are fictional – So how did
pirates really talk? Complete with pronunciation, grammar, and syntax.
This is a great book for Johnny Depp fans, to help prepare for a cruise, or for finding new curses and
insults without resort to modern four-letter words. Did you know there is an International Talk Like a
Pirate Day? (9/19, if you’re curious.)
I bought this book because the sequel to “Romancing Rebecca” takes place in the Caribbean. (I’ll be
posting the first chapter soon, so you’ll be able to meet Joy’s pirate. Ooops, just gave away that my
heroine will be the psychic concierge Rebecca meets in “Romancing Rebecca.”)
The book’s cover resembles a leather pirate journal and inside the pages are colored as if weathered
and torn. An amazing piece of research which had to be goodly, hearty fun.
Arrgh! (the “gh” is not pronounced.)
The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right Size by Julia Cameron (Penguin, 2007)
Julia Cameron, guru author of The Artist's Way and other books on creativity has transformed lives
for 25 years. With this book she turns her inspirational style to the artist’s battle with weight.
The Writing Diet proposes writing as a weight loss tool to metabolize life. If overeating blocks
creativity and feelings, writing wakes up consciousness and returns clarity and productivity. Her tools
will work for anyone with food relationship issues.
She doesn’t mention research that shows meditation and yoga aid weight loss, but Morning Pages must
achieve results for the same reasons. Slowing the mind creates better choices for the body.
Not just for writers, artists, and musicians, Ms. Cameron says many things other books have told you,
but does it exceptionally well. If writing is your natural response to life or not, her sensible, clean
eating plan may make more sense than most popular diets.
What can a writer learn about writing from The Writing Diet (besides how to deal with weight and
food)?
• Select an important topic and a great title.
• Write a book that is a joy to read.
• Make the book beautiful, not imposing or intimidating.
• Create interesting, easy to read short chapters.
• Give practical advice and don’t talk down to your reader.
• Illustrate points with interesting, powerful examples.
• Add one meaningful exercise per chapter.
• Write as if you were an understanding fellow traveler.
• Convince your reader you are a supportive friend who went from a size 16 to size 10 in one year.
For twenty five years Julia Cameron has taught creativity using Morning Pages, Journaling, Writer’s
Dates, and Walking. The Writing Diet adds the delightful Culinary Artist Date to the list.
Sessions Stepp (2007)
If you’re writing about young women and you’re over 30, this is a book to read (or download an
abridgement from www.audible.com the way I did).
Interviews three high school girls and six college women over a year helped Stepp write an insightful
study of the affect sexual practices is having on young women (and men). She observes how the
“hookup” culture affects the way women behave now and speculates how it will affect how they build
relationships and look for love in the future.
Stepp explores a society where oral sex is ordinary, but dating and holding hands is “yucky” and women
looking for success don’t have time for “real relationships.” She shows these exceptional women,
scholars and athletes, who seem able to do it all. She talks to them about pressures placed on them by
a post feminist society, their views of their parents marriages, and the feelings of empowerment
hooking up provides.
The author has done good research and presents the material sympathetically, avoiding sensationalism—
not easy with this edgy topic.
Worst-case Scenarios Handbooks
Having trouble writing that action scene? Even if you’ve never been in a sword flight, escaped from a
sinking car, or fought off a shark, do not despair, the Worst-Case Scenario books can help.
The authors have more recently gone beyond survival skills and gone into he dangerous waters of travel
and holidays and work. www.worstcasescenarios.com
Worst-Case Survival Handbook: Dating and Sex by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht and Jennifer
Worick (also in audio). This book is a romantic comedy. It offers great ideas for dealing with
awkward situations like removing difficult clothing and determining the gender of your date,
scientifically. It includes a “Dear [fill in ex-lovers name] form letter” to end a relationship.
The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers and Rogues by George Choundas
(Writers Digest Books, 2007)
Choundas claims his book includes every pirate reference in film, TV, literature, and historical
accounts over the last three centuries. Entries have sources, though many are fictional – So how did
pirates really talk? Complete with pronunciation, grammar, and syntax.
This is a great book for Johnny Depp fans, to help prepare for a cruise, or for finding new curses and
insults without resort to modern four-letter words. Did you know there is an International Talk Like a
Pirate Day? (9/19, if you’re curious.)
I bought this book because the sequel to “Romancing Rebecca” takes place in the Caribbean. (I’ll be
posting the first chapter soon, so you’ll be able to meet Joy’s pirate. Ooops, just gave away that my
heroine will be the psychic concierge Rebecca meets in “Romancing Rebecca.”)
The book’s cover resembles a leather pirate journal and inside the pages are colored as if weathered
and torn. An amazing piece of research which had to be goodly, hearty fun.
Arrgh! (the “gh” is not pronounced.)
The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right Size by Julia Cameron (Penguin, 2007)
Julia Cameron, guru author of The Artist's Way and other books on creativity has transformed lives
for 25 years. With this book she turns her inspirational style to the artist’s battle with weight.
The Writing Diet proposes writing as a weight loss tool to metabolize life. If overeating blocks
creativity and feelings, writing wakes up consciousness and returns clarity and productivity. Her tools
will work for anyone with food relationship issues.
She doesn’t mention research that shows meditation and yoga aid weight loss, but Morning Pages must
achieve results for the same reasons. Slowing the mind creates better choices for the body.
Not just for writers, artists, and musicians, Ms. Cameron says many things other books have told you,
but does it exceptionally well. If writing is your natural response to life or not, her sensible, clean
eating plan may make more sense than most popular diets.
What can a writer learn about writing from The Writing Diet (besides how to deal with weight and
food)?
• Select an important topic and a great title.
• Write a book that is a joy to read.
• Make the book beautiful, not imposing or intimidating.
• Create interesting, easy to read short chapters.
• Give practical advice and don’t talk down to your reader.
• Illustrate points with interesting, powerful examples.
• Add one meaningful exercise per chapter.
• Write as if you were an understanding fellow traveler.
• Convince your reader you are a supportive friend who went from a size 16 to size 10 in one year.
For twenty five years Julia Cameron has taught creativity using Morning Pages, Journaling, Writer’s
Dates, and Walking. The Writing Diet adds the delightful Culinary Artist Date to the list.
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| Book Reviews |
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Amber Polo: Relaxation,
Writing & Romance
Writing Begins with the Breath: Embodying Your Authentic Voice by Laraine Herring
Shambhala, 2007
I’d guess the most difficult book to write is one meant to tell other writers how to write. Laraine
Herring has succeeded in writing a book for every writer’s bedside table.
Beginning with the belief that your body’s cells hold memory, stories, and experiences, creative
writer/teacher Laraine Herring wants every writer to write authentically. What is authentic writing?
Different for each writer – you know it when you read it.
Using story, advice, clues, and exercises, she leads writers deeper into writing. Her yoga exercises
(this is not Rodney Yee’s or Patricia Walden’s yoga) teach simple breathing, standing, and relaxing
techniques to allow gentle connections within your body to assist your writing process and allow your
characters to speak.
On every page Laraine’s words float, flow, tumble, and surprise as she talks to you, her student, her
friend, and fellow writer. Yes, she takes risks and opens veins; Laraine practices what she teaches.
“Writing Begins with the Breath” is an important book for writers. But don’t take my word; Natalie
Goldberg’s publisher chose to publish it.
Shambhala, 2007
I’d guess the most difficult book to write is one meant to tell other writers how to write. Laraine
Herring has succeeded in writing a book for every writer’s bedside table.
Beginning with the belief that your body’s cells hold memory, stories, and experiences, creative
writer/teacher Laraine Herring wants every writer to write authentically. What is authentic writing?
Different for each writer – you know it when you read it.
Using story, advice, clues, and exercises, she leads writers deeper into writing. Her yoga exercises
(this is not Rodney Yee’s or Patricia Walden’s yoga) teach simple breathing, standing, and relaxing
techniques to allow gentle connections within your body to assist your writing process and allow your
characters to speak.
On every page Laraine’s words float, flow, tumble, and surprise as she talks to you, her student, her
friend, and fellow writer. Yes, she takes risks and opens veins; Laraine practices what she teaches.
“Writing Begins with the Breath” is an important book for writers. But don’t take my word; Natalie
Goldberg’s publisher chose to publish it.
Copyright@Amber Polo 2007=08