Making
A Literary Life: Advice for Writers
and Other Dreamers by Carolyn See
Reviewed
by Kate Robinson
When I
plucked Making A Literary Life from
the library shelf, I asked myself if I really
needed to read another book about writing. A
thirty-second scan of the introduction left
my inner critic, my muse, and me linking arms
and high-kicking in the aisles.
See's
earthy and irreverent attitude carries
writers through all the rocky passages
between the decision to write and the post-publication
blues. When you're wondering how to be a
writer (pretend), how often to write (A
thousand words a day… for the rest of
your life), or considering how to handle
remarks upon publication of your story/essay/feature
article/book (Thank you! No kidding!),
See's instructions will save the day and
possibly your entire writing life.
Whether
you're "having fun with the tax man,"
wrangling with plot and voice, or any of a
writers' myriad tasks, Carolyn See shines her
love of the literary life to the reader like
sunlight through landscapes too scary or too
magical for words. You could skip reading
this book, especially if you're an
experienced writer, but you'd be much poorer
for the omission.
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