I wrote this post 10 years ago, but I think it’s worth taking another look.
I was looking through my book shelves for summer reading. I picked up Ray Bradbury’s Zen and the Art of Writing: Release the Creative Genius Within You. It’s a small paperback book that has sat on my bookcase, unread. I opened the cover and on page one the autograph of the author and the date May 1996 stared me in the face.
That’s the first time I heard Ray Bradbury speak — and the first time I asked him to sign a book. My daughter was three months old, and my son was three years old. That’s a lot of years to have this book sitting on my bookshelf.
Yes, I’m now reading this collection of essays and remembering how inspiring his talk was. Earlier that same day in May 1996, I recognized Ray Bradbury at Las Casuelas the Original, a small Mexican restaurant a few blocks away from the Riviera Hotel, where he was speaking later. I introduced myself to him, as he ate alone, and I said I couldn’t wait to hear his talk.
It was one of the first writer’s conferences I had attended, and I was kind of in a fog, having a newborn child and little sleep.
Ray Bradbury was amazing. He reminded me of a young child, finding wonder in the world. He had the ability to stay young at heart and observe the world as though seeing little things for the first time. I loved his story of how he wrote Fahrenheit 451 in the basement of the UCLA library at a rental typewriter for 10 cents for a half hour. He said he was literally a “dime novelist.” It gave me courage and the belief that we can do anything — if you want it badly enough.
“Garbage in, garbage out,” he said. He advised us to turn off the TV. Don’t watch the news. He said they were selling soap and there was little or no good news and it would rot our minds. Instead, “Read the Bible, a poem and an essay every day.”
How I’d wish I’d listened more carefully and followed that advice all those years ago. How different would my life be today? The good news is, it’s not too late to start. And I’m proud to say, I started down that path.
My all time favorite Ray Bradbury book is Fahrenheit 451. My son Robert loves this book, too. I took my son to meet Ray Bradbury during another local speaking engagement years later. Robert has a signed copy of Farenheit 451 that he treasures. Ray Bradbury was a very accessible and kind man, willing to share with all of us enjoying his gift and genius — and striving to be 1/100th the writer that he was.
“What do you love most in the world? The big and little things, I mean. A trolley car, a pair of tennis shoes? These, at one time when we were children, were invested with magic for us.” — Zen and the Art of WritingPostBlock
What is your favorite Ray Bradbury book?
What do you think about Bradbury’s advice about turning off the news and reading instread?
Thanks for sharing this remarkable book with us.
It’s full of wisdom for writers.
If I can find it here I’ll get it too
It’s old, but I’m sure it’s still available.
Thanks 😊
👍🏼
Oh my goodness. You know I love all of this…can’t say it enough about ‘garbage in, garbage out’. I love Fahrenheit, too…but I need to read his writing “Zen” book. Thanks, Elizabeth! 🥰
Yes, he has such good advice that stuck with me all these years. I realized by reading my blogging friends’ posts, I do read poems, essays and the Bible each day.
It’s funny, he’s one author I’ve never read and this is the second time I’ve heard his name this week. I definitely have to read him now. I love your line: “It gave me courage and the belief that we can do anything — if you want it badly enough.” That’s such a great tribute to any writer!!!!
He was so enthusiastic and infectious. He truly held onto childlike wonder. I’m so grateful I heard him in person several times.
Brian, you’re missing out!! I think you would like Dandelion Wine, The Martian Chronicles, and possibly The Illustrated Man. Here’s a free sampling online, if you want to check it out: https://www.btboces.org/Downloads/7_There%20Will%20Come%20Soft%20Rains%20by%20Ray%20Bradbury.pdf
I’ve always wanted to read him. Always liked how he talked about writing!
Also, Fahrenheit 451. I think it’s a must read. Complete with burning books, wall-sized TVs and buds in people’s ears. So prophetic.
Okay, you’ve definitely convinced me!!!! Ha ha
Oh, such a beautiful and inspiring post, Elizabeth. Both for the words from Ray Bradbury and your writing the wraps them up like a gift. I love, “It gave me courage and the belief that we can do anything — if you want it badly enough.”
Yes!
Thank you! He was such an amazing, humble man. He said he continued to revise Fahrenheit after it was published! He felt he could always improve his work.
Reading teaches you to think for yourself…
Yes, I agree. If I have the news on, I get upset. Even on WP, I read essays, poems and Bible versus. It’s following Bradbury’s advice.
👍👍
Ray’s advice about the news was spot on. I also like the Simon & Garfunkel line, “I get all the news I need from the weather report.”
I think my days would be brighter and I’d have more creativity if I turned off the news. Love that Simon & Garfunkel line.
I devour new books on my kindle along with discovering new writers. I read headlines in grocery stores sometimes of the Times, the Post, The St. Pete News and sometimes google news. That is good for me. As for writing, I focus on my ideas which come at odd times and from so many sources. Enjoy your summer! I am loving it!
You too!
How amazing that your got to meet Bradbury!!! He’s in my top 3 favorite authors of all time, quite possibly #1. Zen and the Art of Writing is such a great book! My favorite book by Bradbury is probably The Martian Chronicles, which is a series of short stories. Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed and —And The Moon Be Still As Bright are so good! I also love this vintage compilation of short stories I picked up at a thrift store (don’t recall the name and can’t find it online), consisting of Dandelion Wine, The Veldt, A Sound of Thunder, The Small Assassin, etc. His writing is consistently brilliant!
I have read the Martian Chronicles. I also like Dandelion Wine. He was so inspiring to meet. I’m so thrilled I took my son to hear him speak and he got to meet him too.
That’s so awesome!! He was such a phenomenal author and I think you’re right that his sense of wonder about the world was a huge contribute to his skills.
It’s like he views things like a child!
Today was the anniversary of his death. June 5. I didn’t know that when I posted this. It’s in my top photo of him, but I didn’t notice it pasted from 10 years ago.
Wow, I haven’t read Bradbury in a long, long time. I really enjoyed his novels back in the day. I didn’t know that he wrote a book about writing.
He was so imaginative and prophetic.