Cheerleading for Writers, by Victoria Ichizli-Bartels, is a practical manual on the subject of writing, particularly aimed at those who are thinking about writing or starting on their first writing project. The author pulls back the curtain on her own writing experiences, providing the reader with personal anecdotes which help to illustrate the hurdles that writers often find themselves facing. The book is laid out in a simple to read fashion, providing bulleted tips at the end of each chapter, which helps, not only to summarize key points, but also provides an easy refresher when one needs inspiration during the darker hours of writing. The book has some excellent gems of information and quotations from established authors. For instance, this short passage provides a powerful perspective for any writer: Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in her book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear in the chapter “Originality vs. Authenticity”: “… the older I get, the less impressed I become with originality. These days, I’m far more moved by authenticity. Attempts at originality can often feel forced and precious, but authenticity has quiet resonance that never fails to stir me. Just say what you want to say, then, and say it with all your heart. Share whatever you are driven to share. If it’s authentic enough, believe me – it will feel original.”
In many ways, as one reads the book, it feels more like one is taking a personal journey with the author, seeing her own writing career as she experienced it, and often times, very intimately so. This adds authenticity and moreover, a more commanding presentation than simply stating the do's and don'ts of writing.
Review by International Writers Inspiring Change
About Victoria Ichizli-Bartels
Victoria Ichizli-Bartels lives her life as if it were a game and never wants to stop playing. Author of "Self-Gamification Happiness Formula," "5 Minute Perseverance Game" and instructor of the online course "Motivate Yourself by Turning Your Life Into Fun Games," Victoria developed self-gamification, an innovative method for approaching your life as games and having fun in the process.
Victoria is a writer with a background in semiconductor physics, electronic engineering (with a Ph.D.), information technology, and business development. While being a non-gamer, Victoria came up with the new term self-gamification, a gameful and playful self-help approach bringing anthropology, kaizen, and gamification based methods together to increase quality of life.
Victoria was born in Moldova, lived in Germany for twelve years, and now lives in Aalborg, Denmark, with her husband and two children.
