Monday, January 17, 2011

Accidental Genius

Author: Mark Levy
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Second Edition edition (August 9, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1605095257

Book Description:

When it comes to creating ideas, we hold ourselves back. That’s because inside each of us is an internal editor whose job is to forever polish our thoughts, so we sound smart and in control, and so that we fit into society. But what happens when we encounter problems where such conventional thinking fails us? How to get unstuck?

For Mark Levy, the answer is freewriting, a technique he’s used for years to solve all types of business problems, and generate ideas for books, articles and blog posts.

Freewriting is deceptively simple: Start writing as fast as you can, for as long as you can, about a subject you care deeply about, while ignoring the standard rules of grammar and spelling. Your internal editor won’t be able to keep up with your output, and will be temporarily shunted into the background. You’ll now be able to think more honestly and resourcefully than before, and will generate breakthrough ideas and solutions that you couldn't have created any other way.

Levy shares six freewriting secrets designed to knock out your editor and let your genius run free. He also includes fifteen problem-solving and creativity-stimulating principles you can use if you need more firepower—seven of which are new to this edition—and stories of problems he and others have solved through freewriting.

Also new to this edition: an extensive section on how to refine your freewriting into something you can share with the world. Although Levy originally taught freewriting as a private brainstorming technique, over the years he and his clients have found that, with some tweaking, it’s a great way to generate content for books, articles, and other thought leadership pieces.

My Review:

This is a book for anyone who writes. Bloggers, authors, journalists, marketers, etc. will benefit from Accidental Genius by Mark Levy. The book has been around for several years and is now in the second printing, proving it has the enduring quality of solid information and wisdom. Chapters include: Drop You Mind On Paper; You Are What You Focus On; and Learn To Love Lying. The 192 page book is well-written, simple, and clear...very readable. Highly recommend!

(Thank you to the author for my review copy!)

1 comment:

Ed Pilolla said...

free writing is something i need to do more of, like most writers. like good photo editors will say to take a self portrait every six months or so, doing these exercises are a pain sometimes, but useful to us as creators. thanks:)