If you've ever taught literature, whether in college or in secondary school, you've surely come up against a common complaint from students: "Why is everything we read so depressing?" or, "Is every book, story, and poem about death, or is it just my imagination?" Tongue in cheek, I always replied, "You'll be happy to know …
Category: writing
Random Wisdom for Writers: Part Two
Here are a few more gleanings from Chuck Palahniuk's estimable "writer advice" book, Consider This. Yesterday's post featured the first group of ideas that might make you better at the trade. Today, the final set. Enjoy! "If you can identify the archetype your story depicts, you can more effectively fulfill the unconscious expectations of your reader." …
Random Wisdom for Writers
When it comes to reading how-to books on writing, I always make sure the author is a success him- or herself before diving in. If it's an unknown, you're left to ask, "If this chump knows so much about writing the world's great novels, why isn't he doing it himself?" Chuck Palahniuk's book, Consider This, …
Writer’s Weigh In With Resolutions
I emailed all the poets and writers (as a certain magazine calls them) I know (and really don't, but I needed a lot of responses to make up a post) and asked what their writerly resolutions were. If they're anything like mine, they're an amusing mix of wishful thinking, good intentions, and, in some cases, …
14 Rules for Writing from Tim O’Brien
In Dad's Maybe Book, author Tim O'Brien spells out some rules for writing intended for his sons, Tad and Timmy. They are equally intended for the reader, who is serving as a vicarious child of the O'Briens reading along. Below are 14 Rules O'Brien shares, directly quoted from the book, and though he says "story" …
Never Explain
Novelist and short story writer Tim O'Brien has just released Dad's Maybe Book, an advice manual of sorts addressed to his two sons, Timmy and Tad. In it, he offers advice to the boys about life. Luckily for writers, he also offers the boys advice on writing. You never know, I figure he's thinking, if …
Redefine, Sense, Identify, Write
As a teacher, I often made use of the brief riches to be found in two sources: poems and short documentary films. Preview, prepare writing or discussion (or both) prompts, show, and turn it over to students. For me, The New York Times' "Film Club" series was an indispensable source of watch-and-write material. Most often …
10 Good Writing Habits from Lydia Davis
Lydia Davis has a new book out called Essays One, and in those pages is an essay called "Thirty Recommendations for Good Writing Habits." I don't have the book yet, but I do have the wisdom to keep Literary Hub on my Bookmarks list. There you will find a lengthy excerpt from the book that …
“The Water Turned Her Skin Sky.”
While reading the November 2019 issue of Poetry, I came across a poem that lends a bit of magical realism to its grammar. Though some readers might object to using words in unusual ways, I find it refreshing to read and one of the chief joys of poetry. The poem is "América" by Sarah María …
Why “Are You a Writer?” Is a Bad Question
Some people consider themselves a writer but, when asked, never admit as much. They are the shy and modest ones, I hear you saying. They are the realistic ones, I hear the other saying. Some people consider themselves a writer and, when asked, explain at great length. They are the outgoing and confident ones, I …
