Aspiring doctors have medical school. Karate students have belts of different colors. Pianists have scales and arpeggios. But what system do writers have for getting and staying in shape, to help them focus, practice, and make progress?

A Writer’s Workbook is Caroline Sharp’s ingenious collection of exercises to inspire, encourage, warm up, and jump-start anyone who writes. A wise and funny friend who will cheerlead you through even your darkest can’t-write days and every idea I’ve ever had is awful nights, she provides encouraging suggestions, hilarious observations, and an amazingly vivid catalogue of writers’ neuroses (with advice on overcoming them, of course).

From Roget’s Resume and Emulating Ernest to End Well, The Rewrite Rut, and Dear John, the exercises in this generous, wry workbook will keep your ideas fresh, your mind open, and your pen moving.