A Journey Into the Minds of Writers

A Journey Into the Minds of Writers

                Every writer is unique. The style, the voice, the inspiration, and the purpose—every aspect is unique to the individual.  That’s what makes Writers on Writing so phenomenal. This collection of essays provides compelling accounts from more than forty of today’s most celebrated writers discussing their passion. What makes this book so intriguing is the collection of essays from various writers that are put all in one place for fellow writers to enjoy. When most people want to learn more about writing, they pick up a writing textbook or refer to online resources. Why is it that people tend to overlook the idea of going straight to the source, such as other writers? Textbooks give you the facts, but they might not give you the real life experiences that other writers offer.  By appealing to audiences on a personal level, Writers on Writing provides a collection of insightful pieces that delight and inspire.

                With each essay focusing on and discussing different concepts, no two essays are the same. Some inspire, such as Andre Aciman’s essay about how writers strive to discover their “hidden nerve” that identifies them (1), while some inform, such as Diane Johnson’s discussion answering the question “must a novel have a theme?” (79) — the point is, with each new author comes a new story and a new journey.

Many of the authors who contributed to the collection of essays varied in their genres and mediums, but they all had one thing in common: they all had an undeniable connection to writing. Each author clearly revealed his or her relationship with writing that is present in his or her life. Every author had a story to tell that revealed not only his or her relationship with writing but how it has affected his or her life. Although each story focuses on different aspects of writing that have influenced the writers’ lives, it is seen through all authors that writing is so much more than a hobby or a way to pay the bills. Writing is a lifestyle.

Although most essays are about four to six pages each, for most of the authors that was more than enough to convey their message. With each essay being as unique and different as they were, I often found much delight in seeing the inner thoughts and memories of such influential and celebrated authors. For example, Alice Hoffman shares that while her sister-in-law was sick, she needed a “fictional place” where she “could escape” (96). This particularly inspirational and vulnerable essay reminded me of the power writing has, and the comfort it can provide people in distress.  Unfortunately, a few of the essays were so unique and different that I could not quite figure out what the author was trying to convey. For example, David Mamet’s essay “The Humble Genre Novel, Sometimes Full of Genius” had me lost from the start, naming writers of whom he presumed his audience would recognize, such as “John Le Carre, George Higgins, and Patrick O’Brian” (145). His message was lost within a sea of unfamiliar writers, novels, and characters of which are unfamiliar to someone like myself, an average high school student. Perhaps the authors were trying too hard to create their own distinct contribution, and thus their messages were lost. Although still fascinating, I was unable to gain much from their cryptic messages.

One puzzling essay is Rick Bass’s “To Engage the World More Fully, Follow a Dog.” For the majority of his essay, Bass discusses the importance of his dog, Colter, who was “such a force, such a marvelous animal,” and how he has written two books about him (13). That is about the extent of what I picked up. As a writer, I can honestly say I have never been able to write anything about my pets. Although I absolutely adore my lovable golden retriever and spastic tabby cat, I can’t imagine what I could possibly write about them, let alone have them be my inspiration for other writing pieces! Perhaps there was some deep message about the true inspiration writers get from their pets, but it completely went over my head. I understand that this collection of essays was created to provide writers with a chance to discuss their passion for writing. However, I personally did not enjoy essays such as Rick Bass’s that neither inspired me nor helped me gain knowledge to help me as a writing tutor. My hopes for Writers on Writing were to help me relate with other writers, and unfortunately some essays failed to fulfill my assumptions.

Although I was not necessarily fond of some of the essays, a majority of them were spectacular. One particular essay I enjoyed was “How Can You Create Fiction When Reality Comes to Call?” by Carolyn Chute, who provides a personal account of the struggles of balancing writing with her everyday life. Chute’s essay focuses on her struggle to make a living as a writer because of the demands everything else in her life require. She recounts a typical day filled with visiting neighbors and taking care of her husband and dogs, all while her typewriter screams “I WANT YOU” (35). Chute expresses that no matter what her day had in store for her, she could not deny the obvious call to drop everything and write. This idea is expressed in several other essays in the collection, and is a feeling almost every writer can relate to.

Another exceptional essay by Anne Bernays dives into the difficulty of teaching writing, arguing that “half the student’s battle is learning basic skills” while the “other half involves tapping into imagination” (25). She concludes that although it’s easy to teach someone the basics of writing, it’s much more difficult to get people to think like a writer, to uncover their style and tone and represent it in their writing. As a tutor at my high school’s writing center, I can relate to Bernays’ observations. Although students may be able to conquer basic writing skills, the imagination and creativity that goes hand-in-hand with writing is a skill many students struggle to tap into.  

Overall, Writers on Writing was a pleasant read that opened my eyes to the world of writing. This collection of essays delights readers as they journey into the minds of writers, including bestselling authors, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Nobel Laureates, allowing readers to ponder their own inspirations and love for writing.