Writers on WritingRobert Pack, Jay Parini "From deeply personal perspectives, two dozen established writers ponder the mystery of their art and such fundamentals as: What is a genuine writing impulse? Why does good writing work? How is writing learned? What is the role of craft and technique? Who is meant to be a writer? How is close reading related to good writing? The volume is peppered with critical perspectives and practical advice, yet its special richness and inspiration lie in the wonderment and deep love for the act of writing expressed by each contributor. Each essay is a joy to read, blending storytelling, literary anecdotes gathered from a lifetime of avid reading, and the kind of shoptalk exchanged between colleagues. Writers will find here camaraderie and encouragement, teachers of writing will hear practical testimony to what works, and readers will come away with a renewed awe for the spell cast by good writing"--From back cover. |
Contents
Hooey Dewey | 1 |
Writing as | 15 |
An Essay | 29 |
Richard Ford Reading | 55 |
Gail Godwin A Diarist on Diarists | 68 |
T R Hummer Against Metaphor | 86 |
Erica Jong My Grandmother on My Shoulder | 105 |
Or Where Are | 120 |
Joyce Carol Oates Excerpts from a Journal | 162 |
Tim OBrien The Magic Show | 175 |
Jay Parini On Being Prolific | 199 |
Francine Prose Learning from Chekhov | 221 |
Ellen Bryant Voigt On Tone | 248 |
Nancy Willard Close Encounters of the Story Kind | 263 |
Hilma Wolitzer Twenty Questions | 281 |
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