The Writing Life: A Collection of Essays and Interviews

by Diane Osen

A collection of essays by and interviews with America's finest writers about their working lives, this book has been published to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the National Book Awards. Includes 10 pages of photos.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

243 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 1995

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this collection of essays and interviews, National Book Award writers of various genres describe the writing life. I found it a little too much of a hodge podge to make a successful whole, and I don’t know who the interviewers were (they were not given credit) but their questions didn’t seem up to par. Scattered gems, however, made it worth reading.

Bob Shacochis: “…by making a story or telling one, we awake to our selves, and our lives go forward. This is how human beings interact, how they struggle to identify themselves to one another, how they manage and compare and share the experience of existence, for friends and lovers, for strangers, and for the future.”

[Kellea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of essays to keep aspiring writers encouraged. I especially related to the essay by Gloria Naylor, author of The Women of Brewster Place.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with so many books of essays or short stories, I found it hard to give this one anything but three stars. Some of the essays I liked a lot while others I just didn't care about. I liked the interviews the most, or at least, I consistently liked the interviews. The essays, however, were hit or miss. What I found most perplexing was that many of the essays really didn't seem to be about writing at all. The authors instead spiraled into other tangents of thought and never really seemed to talk about what the book was supposed to be about. I found that particularly irritating!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of essays and interviews by contemporary authors (compiled by Random House) provides stimulating array of views on the life of a writer. As an avid reader and aspiring writer, hearing successful authors' testimonies on how/why/when they became writers inspires me and helps me to see the writing life as a reality. Really interesting compilation -- would definitely recommend.

[Tajma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will need to go back and read this one. I don't care for the work of some of these writers but they are some of the best working today.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

One note: Whoever copy edited this collection of essays did a terrible job.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It made for easy and interesting reading. Some chapters were interviews with authors and others were essays, or speeches. So there was great variety in style and substance. Good reading before bed...could get in a chapter of good mulling material but nothing that would keep me awake!