Stephanie Dowrick

Look, 50% of non-fiction books are too long, and 95% of self-help books are too long, so invariably this book is 145% too long (according to my understanding of Bayes' theorem). However, it's still a great book. The basic gist is this: if you are unhappy or uncomfortable around others, it's probably because you are unhappy or uncomfortable on your own. If you can't be happily alone with others, then when you're with others you'll be terrified of being left alone. This really describes me. I show more am not capable of sitting comfortably alone for five minutes at a party. I'm also not happy alone in solitude. I thought I was, but Dowrick patiently explained how actually I'm not and she's 100% correct.

It's all very confronting and challenging, but Dowrick is a gentle, warm-hearted guide. She gives the sense that she's still learning and thinking about this stuff - that it's not settled and that if you disagree with anything, you don't need to throw away the whole lot. Her descriptive passages are lovely - evocative and varied and celebratory rather than judgemental. I skipped over a fair bit of the section on sex, because it seemed to echo [b:The Erotic Mind: Unlocking the Inner Sources of Passion and Fulfillment|174777|The Erotic Mind Unlocking the Inner Sources of Passion and Fulfillment|Jack Morin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1355968284l/174777._SY75_.jpg|168833], which I think probably does a better job of covering the topic. show less

A wonderful analysis of Rilke's work, his perspectives, and a look at the artistic, familial, and romantic events that shaped his life and writing.

Dowrick writes like an admirer who is equally capable of seeing Rilke's foibles. The writing is poetic yet accessible. I truly enjoyed "In the Company of Rilke" and highly recommend it.

Over the years I have made many aborted attempts at keeping a journal. Starting out with the best of intentions, I would soon lose interest when my journal writing became very dull, little more than a recording of facts and events.

Stephanie Dowrick's 'Creative journal writing' helped to change all that. While Stephanie still talks about the importance of recording facts and events, she shows us how a journal can be so much more.

After briefly discussing the reasons for keeping a journal, show more and how to go about choosing a journal, Stephanie then presents us with many exercises and examples which help us to explore a whole range of deeper issues.

Using techniques such as free association, observing your internal and extenal environments, reflection, venting and many others we learn how to make our journal writing more interesting.

There are many reasons for keeping a journal, and many ways of journal writing. Stephanie covers just about all of them in this book. Some of the exercises here may appeal to you, some may not. The trick is to pick what works for you, and just write. This is probably the best book I've come across to help you get started. show less

I had expected the book to be more biography than analysis. It is still a good book. Bogs down at a point but still good.