Keeping a Journal of a Novel

Late last year I came across John Steinbeck’s Journal of a Novel. He kept it while writing his epic novel, East of Eden. The journal was written in the form of letters to his editor, who was also a close friend, and reveals both his trepidation and his love and dedication at the undertaking of writing his most ambitious novel. On the pages of his journal he challenges himself, encourages himself, explains and defends his creation, and generally keeps himself going.

Inspired in the reading ...