Haverhill Public Library

Letters to a young writer, some practical and philosophical advice, Colum McCann

eng

illustrations

no index present

non fiction

Letters to a young writer

975173917

Colum McCann

some practical and philosophical advice

"A lesson in how to be a writer---and so much more than that. Intriguing and inspirational, this book is a call to look outward rather than inward. McCann asks his readers to constantly push the boundaries of experience, to see empathy and wonder in the stories we craft and hear. A paean to the power of language, both by argument and by example, Letters to a Young Writer is fierce and honest in its testament to the bruises delivered by writing as both a profession and a calling. It charges aspiring writers to learn the rules and even break them. These fifty-two essays are ultimately a profound challenge to a new generation to bring truth and light to a dark world through their art."--Jacket"Drawing on the lessons learned throughout a distinguished writing career and nearly 20 years as a teacher of creative writing, McCann delivers a collection of essays that combines practical advice, creative inspiration, and a profound call to arms for a new generation of writers to bring truth and light to a dark world through their art. Addressing subjects such as "The Terror of the White Page, " "Embrace the Critics, " and "If You're Done, You've Just Begun, " this collection is a testament to the bruises of writing as profession and as calling, and a paean to the power of language"--, Provided by publisher

Introduction: The unsayable ecstasies -- Letter to a young writer -- There are no rules -- Your first line -- Don't write what you know -- The terror of the white page -- No ideas without music -- A hero of consciousness -- Out from the dust : creating characters -- Shaping the truth -- Carry a notebook -- Be a camera -- Fuhgheddaboudit : writing dialogue -- Read aloud -- Who what where when how and why -- Seeking structure -- What matters : language and plot -- Punctuation : it's not just a throwaway thing (comma) -- Research : Google isn't deep enough -- No rust on your sentences please -- The habit of hoping -- There are no literary Olympics -- How old is the young writer? -- Don't be a dick -- Then again, don't be too nice -- Fail, fail, fail -- Read, read, read -- Rejoyce -- Writing is entertainment -- Take a break -- Who's your ideal reader? -- How to get an agent -- What if I don't get an agent? -- Finding the right editor -- Bringing (your own) fresh eyes to your stories -- Throw it all away -- Allow the reader's intelligence -- Success -- If you're done, you've only just begun -- Blurbs (or the art of literary porn) -- A secret hearing -- Where should I write? -- To MFA or not to MFA? -- Should I read while I'm writing? -- Smash that mirror -- The dark dogs of the mind -- Write yourself a credo -- The bus theory -- Why tell stories -- Embrace the critics -- Be exhausted when you finish -- Your last line -- Letter to a young writer, redux