This is a compilation of quotations from L'Engle's writings, speeches, and classes, and is the next best thing to a book she could write about her thoughts on writing--her own and others'. Although the author's titles for the entries downplay the Christian content of some of L'Engle's statements, the book is for every writer and admirer of L'Engle's works. The timeline and bibliography are helpful. L'Engle would not teach people how to write, believing that it cannot be taught in classes such as are sometimes offered to aspiring writers, but she has given plenty of good advice on writing and thinking and believing, and most of it seems to be collected in this small but potent book. And it made me want to reread L'Engle's wonderful books, which is high praise for the compiler.

This collection of quotes and excerpts from Madeleine L'Engle's books and workshops provides such wonderful insight into the mind of one of the 20th century's greatest writers. It is invaluable for writers seeking to deepen their craft and put their gifts and skill to work in the best possible way. It's also a gift for L'Engle's fans to have so many of her thoughts condensed into a single volume.

For all the thoughts I read on this book about some things that repeat themselves and is somewhat too religious for some, I was personally encouraged to dream, to think, to write. Don't read it in one big chunk, but slowly, almost like a devotional. It is insights from a writer who impacted the world with her writing. Who believes so much in what she believes and thinks about the process and the way of life for a writer, she can't help emphasize, or repeat, what she has to say. We don't have to agree with everything. I actually am going to stick it on my shelf.

I really love Madeleine L'Engle! She feels like an old friend. Her work and her wisdom are so honest. I bought this book and underlined so many beautiful ideas and thoughts she had about writing and creativity and faith. I plan to peruse it again and again. It's organized in little chunks of ideas and need not be read in order. She inspires me to write and read more, to think and wonder.

This book is a collection of Madeleine L'Engle's own writing about her life, her work, her faith, and what it means to live the life of a writer. As a big-time L'Engle fan, I have read most of the books from which these excerpts come, but seeing them collected here together gives them more impact. So much wisdom and insight for writers -- especially those who are driven to glorify God in their work. Great inspiration for Christian artists.

Not what I expected, but a few nuggets from a respected spiritual writer

Maybe all of Madeleine L'Engle's nonfiction will be on my list of favorite books for the year, but we'll see. But this collection of her quotes really shows ultimately just how much of a gift she was to the world, and how much she continues to be. You get the sense from her quotes that she truly knows what it means to be and to live as a writer, and you can see just how convinced she was of her beliefs. A true literary legend

Really gorgeous...sends me plunging towards L'Engle's complete works <3

Some passages are great, but there was way too much repetition for my taste. The 331 pages could have been cut in half and been more effective.

review pending, book club read

I wouldn't call myself an avid fan of Madeleine L'Engle's writing, simply because I haven't actually read that much of it. But I have labeled A Wrinkle in Time as one of my all-time favorite books. And when there is a book--or a song, or a painting--that I thoroughly enjoy, I'm always interested in the creator behind the art, and the source behind that creativity. What in an artists' life has caused her to create such art?

For Madeleine L'Engle, writing was a calling for her. It was her way of being a light in the darkness, of sharing the truths she found in Christianity through the medium of story, just as Jesus shared truth by telling parables. There is a power in story that the world often thinks is foolish, but L'Engle understood it very well. In one passage, she writes, "We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it." Perhaps as a Christian myself, L'Engle's reason for writing means that much more to me. I rejoice when fellow believers have the courage to credit their talents to Christ, the giver of all good gifts. ”Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created" (James 1:17-18).

Reading Madeleine L'Engle Herself: Reflections on a Writing Life has edified me as a Christian, and it has encouraged me in two ways: First, to read more of her books to find out if I like her other writings as much as A Wrinkle in Time; and second, to try my own hand at writing stories. Because this small, unassuming book has inspired me in these ways, I think it deserves five stars.

It started out a little slow, but once I stopped trying to read it like a book and just read a passages at a time it flowed beautifully. Sometimes in the morning, sometimes late at night, and on the occasional rainy afternoon, they worked best as guided reflections.

It is repetitive, it's a collection of quotes/thoughts from throughout her life so there are things that are said again and again (another reason it worked better as something for me to read occasionally).