Ensouling Language by Stephen Harrod Buhner

From Kate’s Writing Crate…

          Life has gotten very busy. Besides family obligations, work, and creative projects, Cheryl and I are working on a really big writing project which I will discuss in January.

In my spare time, I am reading Ensouling Language: On the Art of Nonfiction and the Writer’s Life by Stephen Harrod Buhner. The title grabbed my attention as I was browsing for something to read.

I am entranced by this book. I had hoped to write a review for my post this month, but I have only finished five chapters due solely to lack of spare time as I love this book.

In fact, I love this book so much I have bought it for all the writers on my gift list as well as a second copy for myself as I never want to be without a copy. (Off the top of my head I can think of 10 other books with intentional duplicates in my library, but I know there are a few more. I will make that list a future blog post.)

Despite not being able to write a complete review (look for a Masterclass post in the future), I wanted to let writers know about this book now. If the title and/or my comments interest you, I hope you will check it out.

At the end of his “Before Buying This Book” section on pp. xi-xv, Buhner states:

                                                 

This book…is for all the children who stayed up late, covers over their heads, flashlight on, reading when they were supposed to be sleeping…It is for every child who has felt touched by the greatness of this craft and then, when they were, heard someplace deep inside a tiny voice speaking, saying something like, “I wish I could write like that; I wish I could write something that would make other people feel like I just felt. I want to do that too.”

You can and what is more, you must.

          If you have ever felt that way, Ensouling Language by Stephen Harrod Buhner is a book for you.