Writers On Writing, Volume Ii (Writers on Writing

by The New York Times, Jane Smiley (Introduction)

"Glimpses into writers and the circumstances that shape them . . . Valuable gleanings."-Kirkus Reviews In a second volume of original essays drawn from the long-running New York Times column, Writers on Writing brings together another group of contemporary literature's finest voices to muse on the challenges and gifts of language and creativity.
The pieces range from taciturn, hilarious advice for aspiring writers to thoughtful, soul-wrenching reflections on writing in the midst of national tragedy. William Kennedy talks about the intersecting lives of real and imagined Albany politics; Susan Isaacs reveals her nostalgia for a long-retired protagonist; and Elmore Leonard offers pithy rules for letting the writing, and not the writer, take charge. With contributions from Diane Ackerman, Margaret Atwood, Frank Conroy, Mary Karr, Patrick McGrath, Arthur Miller, Amy Tan, and Edmund White, Writers on Writing, Volume II offers an uncommon and revealing view of the writer's world.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Essays, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. Founded in 1851, the newspaper has won 112 Pulitzer Prizes, more than any other news organization. Its website receives 30 million unique visitors per month.

Reviews

[Wendie Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the essays, but at times I thought they were a bit condescending. I guess if I was published in the New York Times I would be full of myself too:)

[Sam Berner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really good pieces, rendering the veil and exposing the soul. Some really boring pontification pieces. A handful of known names, thrown in there probably so that the book does not flop.

Amazing how few of them talked about their reading, as if to avoid being perceived as influenced by something better than their own talent.

[Cameron Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book consists of 41 essays by writers that range from Margaret Atwood, Frank Conroy, Elmore Leonard, Andrew Greeley, P. J. O’Rourke, Ann Patchett, Arthur Miller, Donald Westlake, and Amy Tan. If you are looking for a writing instruction book, this book is not for you. All of the essays are approximately six pages long. The authors write about whatever their heart fancies. These subjects range from the Selectric typewriter, to childhood memories, to writers block, to music, to current events and their impact on writing and literature today. You name it – it’s there. Most of the essays are very interesting, too. A few are not all that interesting. This book gives ideas and motivation, and you don’t even realize it until you find yourself thinking about the writer and how they write, and wow, could I do that? Nah.

Cam

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting collection of short essays from a variety of authors, each ruminating on some aspect of the writing life. In the introduction, Jane Smiley recommended reading the book in either one sitting or over a single weekend, so that one can better allow the different voices "to come and go, to blend, to harmonize with and to echo one another." I concur.

[C.G. Fewston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some essays are worth it. Some are not. But a recommend nevertheless.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and informative to read such a variety of voices. Lots of good advice... from 46 different authors! Writing is perhaps one of most precious mirrors in which we are able to see not just the image of
who we want to be, but shadows of the many selves that dance through our lives.

My notes: don't be the one to write the passages someone else will skip over! For those "chords", what matters are passing notes, leading tones... we want to know how in a key, say key of G, something gets to the end... (my note: whether it will be G or note... whether you leave out the 3rd for the mood of major or minor...). If you write hooptedoodle (as Steinbeck titled two chapters of his "Sweet Thursday" -- as long as it doesn't interfere with the story, the reader will choose to enjoy or skip! Just don't mix it up with the story in a prologue!
As for writing dialogue, stick to the neutral th/s/he - y said. None of this "grumbled, gasped, cautioned" or verbs that send you to the dictionary like "asseverate"... and avoid adverbs at all costs. They attract the overabundance of exclamation marks,, another no-no.

Philip Larkin: "The reader puts a penny of attention into the poem's slot and immediately gets a feeling as a pay-off". (Well, for the successful lyric poem that is. It cannot be an abbreviation, should it work as an entire artwork.)
Geraldine Brooks: empathy -- that passport to another life, another time...
Write the thoughts that keep teasing your mind... don't join those legions of well-validated writers who provide best sellers.

I do wonder why Henry James figured in what seemed high frequency. I'm waiting to hear why one of my poet friends is so adamantly opposed to his pedestal status.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly inconsistent, but there were some good quotes to pull for teaching, as well as entire essays to set aside.

[an elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable peek into many author's brains.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This morning I finally finished read Writers on Writing Volume II from The New York Times. That book has been part of my writing practice for a few months now, one essay at a time, and I really enjoyed it. Some essays were more fitting for where I am than others because the topics range the gamut of genres and styles, but all in all, I really enjoyed seeing the practices and thought processes of various writers.

Here are a few quotes I underlined:

So much of life falls between the seams of the sayable. It’s ironic that poets use words to convey what lies beyond words, that poetry becomes most powerful where simple language fails, allowing one to bridge the conscious and unconscious, and even festoon that bridge with sensations and subterranean desires. — Diane Ackerman

But the creative artist can change the world. A true writer opens people’s ears and eyes, not merely playing to the public, but changing minds and lives. This is sacred work. — Allegra Goodman

Some days you plod, some days you soar, but always you churn out copy on demand, whether you feel the muse or not. (Where is the muse, by the way? Does she ever show up? Occasionally you hit it, grinning behind the nominal privacy of your partition like a Mardis Gras mask. — Anna Quindlen speaking of journalism (although I think she could be speaking of teaching, too)

The wonderful thing about writing is that it forces you to confront yourself in a way you don’t usually have to. That is, needless to say, also the terrible thing. — Jonathan Rosen

Music is also in stark contrast to writing. Music is already perfect, sure-footed, whereas I’m struggling to remember a word, frame a description, invent an action. If for me music is the secret sharer, it is a friend who has no needs and encourages me to trust that beauty can be achieved in this life, at least theoretically. — Edmund White

Just a few tidbits to spur you on in your day and your writing. Enjoy.

[O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I realized that the second volume of Writers on Writing existed I immediately put it on my wish list. When it finally arrived I couldn't wait to read it. The essays in this New York Times collection aren't selected to compliment each other in voice, theme or subject. It's pretty much authors talking about whatever strikes them, as long as it has something to do with their present life as writers. Some remember their childhood and making up stories, some reflect on their children's childhood and their struggles with their first book. Some talk about book signings, interviews, impact of current events, music, loneliness, workday schedule, depression and their Selectric typewriter. You name it, it's there. That's what I love about these books - they show the writerly world as it is - diverse and unscripted and un-carefully-selected to match something.
What I like most about these books though is that they make me want to DO things. They make me want to go find the books mentioned on the pages, listen to the music credited with inspiration, write something, anything at all. This is definitely a must-read and I highly recommend it, even if you have no ambition to become one of the writerly world.

Read more of my reviews at bibliophilescorner.blogspot.com

[Utkarsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not the how-to-write manual that many beginning writers seem to be seeking. I sometimes go to book readings and I am continually amazed (and bored) by the people who cross-examine writers about how they write. If you are a frustrated writer who is hoping to find some magic formula about how it's done, this book isn't for you. If you are a writer who is looking for kindred souls, you will be blown away and feel comforted by how much the writing process of writers like William Sarayon mirrors your own.

This collection of 41 essays was compiled from the New York Times's "Writers on Writing" column. The result is an beguiling collection of writers thoughts on the creative process. All of these the included essays are engaging and intruging. Suprising is the subject matter. Joyce Carol oates connects her writing process with running. Annie Proloux writes about the need to surround herself with books on every subject matter. Walter Mosley stresses the need for discipline.

[P.M. Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short blurbs, anecdotes, lessons, and stories about writing from the literary likes of Frank Conroy, Arthur Miller, Donald Westlake, David Mamet, Ann Beattie, Elmore Leonard, Margaret Atwood, Stephen Fry, Ann Patchett, Amy Tan, P.J. O’Rourke, and about 35 others.

If you like reading, this book is filled with many a gem. My favorite was Donald Westlake discussing his somewhat complicated relationship Richard Stark, the pseudonym under which he wrote his “Parker” series of novels. Interesting, intriguing, funny, and thought-provoking.

A great source of information & entertainment! Having read this, I’ll be going to my local public library and looking for Volume 1, as well as the Paris Review Interviews.

[Ginger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is short 3-4 page essays from a range of writers on the subject of writing that originally appeared in the New York Times. I get the feeling that since this is volume II the better essays were probably used in the first. There are a few good ones sprinkled in here, but also a lot of self-importance and people describing how they came up with characters that you've never heard of and could care less about.
The main idea: writing is hard and lonely work. If you are going through a bit of writers block, there's some comfort in here.

[miteypen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading advice and insights from other writers as well as getting some ideas for new writers to try. This book fits the bill well. I didn't like all the essays equally well, but that's usually the case with collections of anything.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anybody who loves to write and/or to read, these essays by noted writers about their craft are gems.

[Zezee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very insightful; gave many great pointers about the writing process; it was amusing to read about the frustrations that writers usually encounter

[Amy Manikowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the range of voices and glimpses into diverse writer's lives, including some authors I wasn't aware of.

[Elisabeth Kauffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent SECOND collection of essays on the craft of writing. Worth the time for anyone who is working out what it means to be a writer.

[Tim Suddeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good individual essays from writers about their writing.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring for the writer. A collection of essays about the process and thought that goes into this creative endeavor.

[Becky Belisle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably the worst thing I have ever read

[Sidra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...