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Paperback The Writing Life Book
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ISBN: 0060919884

ISBN13: 9780060919887

The Writing Life

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Format: Paperback

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Book Overview

"For nonwriters, it is a glimpse into the trials and satisfactions of a life spent with words. For writers, it is a warm, rambling, conversation with a stimulating and extraordinarily talented colleague." -- Chicago Tribune

From Pulitzer Prize-winning Annie Dillard, a collection that illuminates the dedication and daring that characterizes a writer's life.

In these short essays, Annie Dillard--the author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and An American Childhood--illuminates the dedication, absurdity, and daring that characterize the existence of a writer. A moving account of Dillard's own experiences while writing her works, The Writing Life offers deep insight into one of the most mysterious professions.

Related Subjects

Arts & Literature Authors Authorship Biographical Biographies Biographies & History Biography & History History & Criticism Literary Criticism Literary Criticism & Collections Literature & Fiction Memoirs Movements & Periods Publishing & Books Specific Groups Women

Customer Reviews

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My Favorite Book of the Season

Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
I loved this book. I read it slowly, savoring it like dense, good chocolate. Carolyn M. Jupp, fellow reviewer, wrote that she felt disappointed in the lack of practical writing advice. Certainly, this is not a book filled with writing excercises, stylistic suggestions, or even much in the way of encouragement. Rather, it's a peek into the mind of a profoundly talented artist and I found it infinitely more helpful than the dozens of practical writing guides I've read in the past year. Dillard's book is filled with gorgeous metaphors, and if you look closely enough, and then maybe look up to see a cloud passing by, you will learn from them. I promise.

Show not tell -- Word tapestry --Art

Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Annie Dillard's The Writing Life is as economical a bit of art within 112 pages as Holy the Firm.As clear a piece of imigry as Teaching A Stone to Talk. Life is a tender piece of show not tell. Dillard explains by weaving words and art and story into a readers ear and mind and heart, and gently stitches soul into the piece.Tidbits include:"I do not so much write a book as sit up with it, as with a dying friend. During visiting hours, I enter its room with dread and sympathy for its many disorders. I hold its hand and hope it will get better...""The writer studies literature, not the world. He lives in the world; he cannot miss it. If he has ever bought a hamburger, or taken a commercial airplane flight, he spares his readers a report of his experience. He is careful of what he reads, for that is what he will write. He is careful of what he learns, because that is what he will know." Interspersed with stories of inchworms, moths, ocean currents, artists and phantom psychotic chess opponents she weaves a fine tapestry of word upon a backdrop of seaside cabins and rain.

Refusing to be pigeon-holed

Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
All of the negative reviews of this book I've seen so far mention that it's not a "how-to" book. Very good! You got the point. Dillard writes about writing, what it means to write, what happens when you write. Sure, there are insights into writing that others may use just as a book about someone's life might produce some insights into living. However, this book never claims and never is a "how-to" book. There are enough cheezy "here are the secrets to writing" out there; Dillard knew better than to add to the drivel. Instead she gives us a brilliant look at the life that one writer leads. Don't judge this book for being something that it isn't. That would be like saying an orange didn't perform so well at being pasta.

The Writing Life Mentions in Our Blog

The Writing Life in NaNoWriMo Time!
NaNoWriMo Time!
Published by Ashly Moore Sheldon • November 06, 2019

Are you an aspiring author? National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo, is an online writing project, which began 20 years ago in 1999. The objective? Write a 50,000-word novel during the month of November? Ready, set, go!

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