Writer’s Desk: Annie Dillard

One of the books that should be on most writers’ shelves—somewhere between their dictionary, thesaurus, and a compendium of trivia (you know, for when you get bored)—is Annie Dillard’sPilgrim at Timber Creek. Spare and scrupulously honest, it’s one of those book-length essays that is so painstakingly constructed, it feels more like architecture than a book.

And that’s a compliment.

So when Dillard gives writing advice, it’s best to listen. Here’s a few choice lines from her introduction to th...