Making a Literary Life
by Carolyn See
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Book Reviews of Making a Literary Life
Book Review: An Inspiring Guide for Aspiring Writers.
Summary: 4 Stars
Carolyn See - author of nine books, book reviewer, and UCLA English teacher - has written a practical and entertaining book for the aspiring writer. Direct advice such as "one thousand words a day five days a week for the rest of your life" jumpstart the book. She also offers advice that may seem offbeat (e.g., write thank-you notes for every rejection received). "In that first hour of rejection, when your liver is exploding and your spleen is on fire, you grope your way through the house to where you keep your `charming note' stationery . . .write him or her a charming note."
"Making A Literary Life" delivers the facts of becoming a writer in a lucid manner, but also honestly and with quick wit. Any romantic notions you may have about writing are stripped away. See says, "Literary life is a marriage, not a romance." There are no shortcuts mentioned here; one must work diligently and persist. This book lays the groundwork, but the author reminds that to build powerful words, sentences, and paragraphs is work-at times excruciating and joyless.
Besides meticulously covering the foundations of good writing-character, plot, point of view and so on-she also discusses the often-neglected time just before and after publication. "After you write a book, you must sell it. The three months before and after publication are just as important as the years you spend writing."
"Making A Literary Life" is an inspiration for writers and anyone shy about following their passion. "I was thirty-two, had two kids and my Ph.D., was coming up on my second divorce, and had already written my first unpublished novel before I got the beginning of a clue." See is a personal mentor proffering clues to facilitate a literary life; most importantly she empowers the writer to believe publication is plausible.
Bohdan Kot
Book Review: Some Good Tips, Emphasis on Realistic Approach
Summary: 4 Stars
I have never read Carolyn See before, but was looking for a quick read to "jump start" my own writing. I appreciated the solid, well-grounded approach to the writing craft. Her discussions of how the publishing industry really works, whether it is book publishing or magazines, were very helpful. She tried to get the reader to put away illusions about what a writing life is about. It requires dedication, consistency, and a willingness to "work the refs" a bit, to try to make some openings for oneself.
To be sure, she weaves her personal life into most chapters, but when it is viewed as an organizational device for the advice given, it works out fine. What matters most is taking a realistic approach, based on one's own experiences, motivations, and opportunities to create and manifest through writing.
The book has three parts, the second of which is about the actual mechanics and basics of writing fiction. The chapters are short and to the point. I thought the chapter on point of view was the most valuable. In the third part she talks about the publishing business. In what she describes as advice worth the cost of ten copies of the book, she recommends limiting magazine article submissions to a maximum of twelve pages. She also suggests seeking opportunities for assignments by magazines through submitting exampies of work and persistently requesting a chance to be considered.
I liked her balanced persistence, even though I am not convinced her idea of sending a warm and fuzzy note to an author or publishing professional five days a week is going to accomplish much.
Another book that has good advice about writing as a profession is Steven Pressfield's The War of Art. I recommend that even more highly.
Book Review: See is Overly Negative and Perpetually Whiny
Summary: 2 Stars
Carolyn See's "Making a Literary Life" is just that. You will learn how to live like a writer, but her advice is putting the cart before the horse. The bulk of her discussion is hardly relevant unless you are regularly writing at this moment and have enough talent so that you have a decent chance at being published. A mere 60 pages out of about 250 in her paperback edition are devoted to writing advice. (If you are just beginning, see Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird" which is significantly better and contains solid writing advice.)To her credit, See writes in a casual tone that is easy to read. Her prose "flows," but she gets too comfortable at times. She cusses like a sailor, and while she can be humorous, she often falls into a deep abyss of negativity about what it means to be a writer. Toward the end, I found myself wondering "Why bother be a writer at all?" If we wanted to know the catalogue of bad things that can happen to a writer, would we really pay See money to hear about them? Probably not.
Some of the chapters here are valuable, and See occasionally gives decent advice, but it could all be condensed into 50 pages. The final third of the book is most redundant. She devotes a chapter to "The First Trip to New York" and how a publisher would rather not throw you a party upon publication. Huh? Most people who read this book have not been published yet! Yet another chapter is devoted to how a published book has a mere 3 months to sit on bookstore shelves and how even the best writers on the planet can sell a mere 10 books a week. Instead of inspiring, Carolyn See does the opposite.
Book Review: Advice Yes......But Nothing New
Summary: 3 Stars
This book offers sensible advice for practicing writers and other so-called dreamers. It is well written but holds no surprises.
Carolyn See has offered her words of wisdom for anyone embarking on a literary life. Her approach is no nonsense and hands on but it seems to lack creativity. For any writer who has approached writing as a business rather than a creative project there is nothing new to be learned here. See suggests writing 1,000 words a day, pretending to be a writer, learning to write "charming notes" to other writer's and editor's, figuring out how to handle criticism and hanging out with others subjecting themselves to the same torture for the sake of their craft. At times See writes with great vision and offers practical support but at other times she drifts towards a personal memoir that is scattered and irrelevant. But for beginning writer's searching for advice on the business and some of the processes involved in paving that golden road towards publication this book is well worth delving into.
The process of writing is given great attention in this book by Carolyn See however it is geared towards the beginning writer trying to learn the ABC's of the business. See has been successful as a writer using her exercises and theories but she seems to lack creative vision in this book preferring instead to stay on the practical side. But overall this is a wonderful book to keep on your shelf for reference when all else fails and you are suffering from a bout of writer's block. With methodical precision See will have you back in the game.
Book Review: Honest and clever
Summary: 4 Stars
See's work is irreverent and honest. It does not avoid the uncomfortable parts of the writing life. She observes that many people think of writers as people without scruples who are self-centered and lazy. She depicts her own life not as having done all of the things she suggests. Instead, she offers the reader suggestions based on what she has not done correctly during her career. She not only focuses on her career, though; she outlines the struggles in her life, including her two unsuccessful marriages, the death of her lifelong partner, the love-hate relationship to her unloving mother, and the writing life of her absent father, the pornographer. Her refreshing honesty makes her book more credible, as the reader can realize that no matter what their given life situation, they too can be writers if they are called to do so.
Her work is filled with fun anecdotes that make for joyous reading. Her comedy and goofy examples make her information less daunting and more approachable. Realizing that not everyone is ready for you to become a writer, she recognizes that you will likely have to make this process happen of your own will and determination. She says not everyone is a writer - some do not have support networks, some simply are not gifted, but those who are can be capable writers if they put their mind to it. While this book is not useful for the seasoned writer, it is an excellent guidebook for the novice and a delightful read for all writers.