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Mark Levy. 2000. Berrett-Koehler Publishers (450 Sansome Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 941113320, USA). ISBN 1-57675-083-3. Softcover. 142 pp. U.S. $16.95. Reviewed by Bonita L. Wilcox, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro
Once in a great while, I read a book that seems to say exactly what I have been thinking. "I could have written that," I may comment to a colleague. At other times, I wished I had stopped reading before the end of the book because the most worthwhile information was in the first 50 pages. But on really rare reads, I find a book that keeps my brain busy from the Foreword to the Index. Levy has written one of those kinds of books. He puts your metacognitive resources "on call" and requires active thinking as the reader discovers the magic of private writing.
You need only to work through the suggested activities to discover for yourself the magic in the writing. In Crafting a Life (1996), Donald Murray, one of the greatest writing teachers of our time, mentions "the magic" and discovery of surprise. "I write to discover what I am thinking" (p. 46). He explains that even at 70, he writes what he does "not expect," and "I invite, encourage, cultivate, welcome, and follow surprise" (p. 54). Trust me, you will be surprised with what you discover in your writing if you follow Levy's advice and prompts. And you may want to use this approach with your students.
Part one...