How to Write Like Chekhov: Advice and Inspiration, Straight from His Own Letters and Work

The writer as observer, not solution provider or judge; his purpose to depict life as it is in all its sordidness - this was the role Chekhov chose for himself, and that message is very clear from this "How to..." book. Despite that premise, the old master is not shy to be firm and prescriptive about the "do's and "don'ts" of writing. 1) It's not "what" but "how" 2) Reading, Watching, Listening - essential to the writer 3) Cutting Mercilessly after writing 4) Do no invent suffering you have not experienced or witennessed yourself 5) No Lying in Art, and most importantly, do not lie to yourself 6) Never rush - deadlines are not important 7) Write with emotional restraint 8) Don't preach, don't teach 9) Pay no attention to the Critics 10) Do not put off writing These are some of the learnings I took away, some contrary to what I had already learned. Central to the book are notes and lessons observed from Chekov's ambitious trip to Sakhalin Island to expose the excesses of the Russian penal system at the time. His descriptions of life on that island definitely confirm Chekov as the master of "show, don't tell" Shane Joseph www.shanejoseph.com

As Lena Lencek, co-editor of HOW TO WRITE LIKE CHEKHOV, puts it, "In the end, the advice he gives his fellow writers comes from the 'felt fact' of his daily, minute-to-minute struggle to keep writing, to have something worthwhile to say, and to keep living at the same time." This pearl, among countless others, sprinkled in this extraordinary volume of Chekhov's writings is why ths is my number 1 gift-giving book of the year. Not only does the advice come from the writer who virtually defines lapidary style, but it comes with a rare dose of humanity, humor, and generosity: an understanding of the psychological stumbling blocks that stand in the way of every aspiring writer. What I particularly appreciate in this smartly translated and edited collection, is the mix of advice from letters to writers of fiction and from Chekhov's own non-fiction (read: medical-cum- scientific) narrative. And who cannot fail to be humbled, or bypass the counsel of a writer who more than a century ago had it right when he proclaimed: "My holy of holies is the human body, health, intelligence, aspiration, love, and the most absolute freedom--freedom from violence and falsehood, whatever forms the latter two might take." The co-editors, Lencek and Brunello, as well as the publisher, have done all writers, and readers, a service by allowing this gem to surface into the English literature.

Unlike most self-help, how-to-write manuals, I found How to Write Like Chekov to be both edifying and an extremely enjoyable read. With writing tips taken from the letters and memoirs of the master himself, the voice is distinct, captivating, and frequently laugh-out-loud funny, which makes the nuggets of advice sparkle. The book is chock full of valuable writing wisdom concerning a range of issues from style ("[One Problem] is that all these descriptions are complicated, mannered, and stale"), to content ("I saw everything, so it is not a question of what I saw, but how I saw"), and from purpose ("it is not the writer's job to solve such problems as the existence of God, pessimism, etc. My job demands only one thing of me: to be talented, that is, to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant evidence,; to illuminate characters, and so speak in their language.") to method ("Freethinking is essential, but to be a freethinker, one must not be afraid to write nonsense"). The honesty and forthrightness of this literary master regarding the pains, troubles, and insecurities of writing is also very encouraging to writers struggling to pen their own tales. In one letter, Chekov admits, "I will find a way to make time for writing for the New Times, but am glad that meeting deadlines is not one of your preconditions for my publishing in your paper." In another, he confesses, "What do I think of your stories? That you have talent is beyond doubt...it actually made me jealous that you had written it instead of me." Useful, entertaining, humorous, and wise, How to Write Like Chekov deserves a place on the bookshelf of any aspiring writer, who, if they're like me, will soon find their copy as indispensable and dog-eared as Chekov's own story collections.

In the glut of self help writing books, this slim volume is unique in helping the serious writer learn from a master's advice. It deftly avoids the mechanical shortcuts of most training manuals and helps even the professional to improve her craft with poignant and applicable advice. Like Chekhov, this book encourages the writer to dig beneath the technical pointers, exposing the habits of character, mind, and observation that go into producing an artist with something to say.