MAKING A LITERARY LIFE, ADVICE FOR WRITERS AND OTHER DREAMERS
By Carolyn See
Random House, 2002
Much to my surprise, I have developed a bit of a writing habit. It used to be that I wrote sporadically and willy-nilly. Some weeks I wrote a great deal, some months I hardly put pen to paper. One day I completed a solid draft of an entire picture book manuscript, one summer I didn’t finish—or start—a single piece. But it seems now that I have drifted into a process, of sorts, and that it is working very well for me. Go figure.
My habit involves working in the wee hours of morning when everyone else in my house is asleep. Go figure again. Because I am not actually a morning person, I start each session snuggled on the sofa in my office reading a chapter or two from a book on the craft of writing. It is a great way for me to get motivated for the morning’s work. For the past two weeks I have been reading Carolyn See’s MAKING A LITERARY LIFE.
I wouldn’t classify this book as a true “craft” book, although See does examine some of the fiction basics (character, plot, point of view, etc) in the middle third of the book. As the subtitle implies, this is more a book of advice for those who are considering a writing life. I did take away some good tips: “charming notes” are a wonderful idea; the life of a newly published book is approximately equivalent to the shelf life of a boysenberry yogurt cup (i.e. SHORT!). Overall, the book contains some very interesting insights from a professional writer. If you are like me and these sorts of insights inspire you to get to work then you might consider giving this one a try.
Best,
Loree