Glimmer Train Guide to Writing Fiction, Vol. 2: Inspiration and Discipline

The Glimmer Train Guide to Writing Fiction #2

by Susan Burmeister-Brown (Editor), Linda B. Swanson-Davies (Editor)

Survey Our Literary Landscape From the Open Window of Glimmer Train


What drives you to write? How does a particular piece of writing come to exist?




In "Inspiration and Discipline," the second volume in our "Glimmer Train Guide to Writing Fiction" series, more than one hundred accomplished authors set aside talk of character and scene in order to address the more private and elusive aspects of their writing lives. In excerpts from interviews conducted over a seventeen-year period and preserved by the editors of the highly respected literary quarterly "Glimmer Train Stories" and its supplement "Writers Ask," contemporary writers offer insights on such topics as family support (or lack thereof), using autobiographical material, and the responsibility of writing–sharing their own personal and philosophical approaches to this most strange, heartbreaking, and wonderful of artistic vocations.




Jayne Anne Phillips, Thisbe Nissen, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Thom Jones, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Beverly Lowry, Siri Hustvedt, Richard Bausch, Charles Baxter, Sue Miller, Ha Jin




There may never be an explanation for where stories come from, but the wisdom, humor, and advice of the writers in these pages will provide you with the inspiration you need to keep your writing life moving forward.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

444 pages, Hardcover

First published June 18, 2007

About the author

You will not find much biographical information around the web about Susan Burmeister-Brown. She co-founded Glimmer Train with her sister Linda B. Swanson-Davis, and Susan and Linda are the current editors of Glimmer Train, one of the top literary journals in the country. If you walk on to a college campus or find someone who follows contemporary literature, they might not know Susan, but they will certainly know her achievements and influence in the literary world. Glimmer Train has been publishing for 18 years, and the publication is consistently outstanding. Susan is a lover of fiction and stories.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of interviews with various writers of short stories. Lots of good stuff here on two of my favorite topics--where do the ideas come from and how do you find the ability to write them down. I was struck by how many writers asserted that to be a truly great story it has the surprise the author somewhere, has to go in some unforeseen direction. Lots of good--and contradictory--thoughts on writer's block as well. I love books full of contradictory thoughts.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprised of excerpts from past Glimmer Train interviews, this book and its companion (The Glimmer Train Guide to Writing Fiction: Building Blocks) are best for dipping into over time, rather than reading all at once.

[John G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book quite a bit, especially the personal motivations driving individuals to write and their purposes. Good exploration into the act of creativity and expression as well the act of reading. Helped me think in different ways, also have the volume two book, Building Blocks.

[Dawn Stowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 a wonderful resource. I took plenty of notes.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snippets from interviews that all together make writing feel a little mystical and unattainable. I could have used a little more "I'm writing this with the sounds of PBSkids coming from the next room", but maybe that's just me.

ETA: The section on writer's block had really stayed with me and I wanted to capture what I thought was the best quote before I have to take the book back to the library:
"What you get done really doesn't have only to do with how gifted you are, or how much ability you have; it has to do with your own attitude toward it. If your attitude toward it is, 'This is my work; this is what I do every day, and I don't have any expectations except that I will have worked today,' then you will get a tremendous amount done. Some of it will be really good Some of it won't be so good. But you are doing it. You're showing up for work, putting in the hours.
And anyway, perfection is an illusion. It's just the way you have to be about it. I don't really teach writing. I teach patience and toughness, stubbornness and willingness to make the mistakes and go on. And the willingness to look like an idiot sometimes. That's the only way any good thing ever gets done, it seems to me." --Richard Bausch

[Sue Seeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't find I need much motivation to write, but still, some good tips.