The Writing Life

The Writing LifeThis is a wonderful book for aspiring writers written by a premier southern author Ellen Gilchrist. She does an excellant job of giving those priceless tips that make a persons writing more interesting. She has an incredible sense of humor and as in all her books she will make you laugh and cry. Bill Barker

This book covers so much about writing. Ellen Gilchrist lists many interesting non-fiction and fiction books which she uses to teach in her creative writing workshops. she has written about her experiences of teaching creative writing or 'rewriting' as she emphasise 'writing is rewriting' to her students. In each and every chapter, she tries to get across some point helpful for those who want to write.

This book of short essays is divided into the sections "Life," "Writing," and "Teaching." For a fan of Ellen Gilchrist's fiction, like me, it's wonderful. She gives out little tidbits that reveal which parts of the Rhoda stories are autobiographical, and tells stories about how particular characters came into her head. Her essay about reading Shakespeare aloud every Sunday with friends made me want to get out the plays and go through them all next year. The journal of her teaching duties at the University of Arkansas is also inspiring...and hilarious. She really does care about the students, but skewers their dumb notions and their immaturity, too. She's old-fashioned--computers and genre writing get no sympathy at all--but doesn't quite fall into crotchety with it. There is very little nuts and bolts advice about writing. Read the best stuff out there, and listen to those who went before you; stay off drugs, and rewrite your work: that about covers it. Think of this book as more of a visit with Ellen Gilchrist than a book about writing. If you're not already a Gilchrist fan, you'll get more out of her fiction than out of this book. "Rhoda: A Life In Stories" would be a fine start. As a book on writing, for writers, Annie Dillard's "The Writing Life" is more substantial and better crafted.

Ever since a friend recommended "Starcarbon" to me 8 or 9 years ago, I've been a great fan of Ellen Gilchrist's work and have purchased all her books. Her characters are unforgettable and I have learned so much about human nature from them. Her writing makes me wish I was from the South! I would recommend this book to any fan of Gilchrist's writing, any aspiring writer, any teacher, or anyone who is interested in knowing what makes writers "tick" ("Falling Through Space" is another wonderful window into Gilchrist's life and mind). She is an inspiration to me and makes me believe that someday I can claim the name of writer for myself. Thank you Ellen for sharing your stories with us. I can't wait for the Nora Jane collection.