Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You is a book by Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451, The Illustrated Man, The Martian Chronicles, and Dandelion Wine.
Ray Bradbury lived from 1920 to 2012 and was a prolific American writer who explored many genres, including horror, science fiction, and fantasy — with his most famous novel being Fahrenheit 451. Fahrenheit 451 is set in the American Midwest in 2049, where “firemen” burn books where they’re outlawed.
Some of Ray Bradbury’s notable awards include a Daytime Emmy Award, National Medal of Arts, and an Inkpot Award.
Ray Bradbury Brings Zen to the Art of Writing
Often writing can feel anything but zen-like.
Thoughts can go this way and that, words can come sporadically, and ideas can be futile and far. Writing can be painful, like pulling teeth.
In Zen in the Art of Writing, Ray Bradbury takes you on a personal journey through writing with infectious zest and zeal. You can feel from Ray that writing is his soul’s breath of life. Writing daily since a youngster, Bradbury spent his entire life dedicated to the craft.
We are reminded that writing is a very personal experience. Writing must come from within.
Writing reminds us that we are alive.
Even from the preface — Ray’s writing style shines through. He is effortless with the pen. Indentation alone lending itself to a beautiful dance between word and page.
The common theme I’ve found in reading biographies and autobiographies about writers is that the best all have one shared habit: they are addicts. Addicted to writing and the solace, comfort, and ease it brings to the mind, soul, and body.
Tips for Writing Success from the Master Writer Himself
I recognize it’s hard to find the time in the day to sit down and read a book, so if you only have a moment — I’ve compiled a few writing tips I caught from the pages of Zen in the Art of Writing below:
- Write every day
- Write fast and then edit
- Write from the heart
- Write honestly
- Write even when it’s hard
- Write passionately
- Write without thinking
If you don’t have zest, you are not a writer.
Ray Bradbury warns that you must have an excitement for writing first and foremost. If you don’t, then you are only half a writer.
Some writers are so enthralled and misguided by following markets, ideas, and whatever is viral at the moment instead of being guided by being themselves.
Authenticity is everything in writing.
To honestly write is to leave everything on the page. Every desire. Every critique. Every thoughtful interest.
If you’re feeling slumped in your writing, be sure to pick up a copy of Zen in the Art of Writing. The words will fill you with a renewed vigor — hopefully carrying you to a seat in front of a typewriter or keyboard.
Write.
