Most of this book felt like filler.

The most helpful chapter was probably the one on letter writing, where she talks about what will persuade government leaders in policy making.

There is a chapter on speeches, with the emphasis on giving, rather than writing, them. If I wanted to learn about public speaking, I could have read a book on that subject, but I specifically read one on writing.

There is also a chapter on poetry and music, in which the author announces she's not going to tell readers how to write poetry. Instead, she spends many pages saying what could be summed up as "Poetry and music are important. If you are gifted for these, write poetry and music." She also quotes her favorite poems.

There were too many quotes in general, but I especially tired of the author's constant quoting of Thich Nhat Hanh.

There were a few good tips here, but nothing that isn't found in other books on writing. ( )

This book was a big disappointment to me, because it is very much a beginners guide to writing. I was hoping for something oriented towards social activists who are already writing, but who are hoping to refine, refresh and reevaluate their work and style within the framework of writing as activism. If you have yet to write your first letter to the editor, column, speech to read at a public meeting, etc. and feel uncertain about how to do that, then this is the book for you, otherwise, skip it. ( )

Mary Pipher says that, “Good writing facilitates the making of connections in a way that inspires openheartedness, thinking, talking, and action.” Pipher shares lessons she has learned as a writer, paying particular attention to writers who want to influence their readers and shift their ideas.

“Whereas writers of propaganda encourage readers to accept certain answers, writers who want to transform their readers encourage the asking of questions. Propaganda invites passive agreement; change writing invites original thought, openheartedness, and engagement.”

“Good writing facilitates the making of connections in a way that inspires openheartedness, thinking, talking, and action.”

A review of several books on writing to create change can be found here: http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2014/08/changing-world-with-words.html ( )

The author writes about the importance as well as the how-to in order to write and speak to change your world. I liked how she used her experience as a therapist as a backdrop for some of her points. She also has a very good list of non-fiction books at the end, books that "change" peoples' views. This is a good read for writers as well as non-writers alike. ( )

This book was an impulse buy at my local bookstore, and I'm so glad I own it because I plan to read it again one day. One of my main motivations for writing is summed up by this quip: Books change people, people change the world. So I really enjoyed looking at writing from that point of view throughout this book.

Here are a few of my favorite parts of the book:
* Whereas writers of propaganda encourage readers to accept certain answers, writers who want to transform their readers encourage the asking of questions. Propaganda invites passive agreement; change writing invites original thought, openheartedness, and engagement.
* In the upside-down world of America today, our culture's dysfunctional message is that healthy people accept the world as it is. We are taught that problems are pervasive and insolvable, and that we are powerless. Also, we hear that only radical nuts or quixotic fuzzybrains work for social or political change. Yet powerlessness produces despair in people and stagnation in cultures. Throughout history, it has been the strong people who have endeavored to make their communities better. Healthy people act.
* Compassion and acceptance, especially self-forgiveness, open up thinking and allow for growth.
* We are more likable narrators if we present ourselves as curious students rather than as smug experts. Humility is appealing.
* Only by facing our own grief fully can we do the work necessary to alleviate the world's grief. ( )