Review: The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman

One part instruction manual, one part memoir, The Writer Laid Bare offers readers a raw, honest and truly heartfelt look into the creative process. Lee Kofman is, arguably, one of the most interesting writers in the current Australian literary scene and her work has often appealed to me for its beautiful honesty. In the Writer Laid Bare, the author puts forward her advice on how to use emotional honesty in writing, or, in short she advises readers to write what makes you blush.

But, obviously, while that rule is important, there is a whole lot more to this guide.

As I said, this is a memoir. Kofman takes us through her personal journey as a writer, from being a child in Russia, to moving to Israel and then Australia, the latter of which she experiences the challenge of learning to write in a third language. She shares the lessons she learned along the way, her experiences as a creative writing teacher, and the many authors that inspired her. One thing I truly appreciated was the list in the back of the one hundred books mentioned within The Writer Laid Bare.

The Writer Laid Bare is a solid addition to the bookshelves of writers, whether they are just starting out on their journey, or if they are seasoned authors. It is also one I would recommend to readers who want to know more about the creative process.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to Pitch Projects for my electronic copy of The Writer Laid Bare--I loved it so much I ended up buying a hard copy.

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