Making a Literary Life
by Carolyn See
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Book Reviews of Making a Literary Life
Book Review: The ultimate putdown...
Summary: 1 Stars
...I have for a writer is this: cheesy. See is a cheesy writer, and lacks talent. She makes up for her talent by being mean, unoriginal, and racist. There are remarks in here that I was shocked to see printed and I am disappointed by her and the publisher. Look for the degradation towards: her ex-husbands, mother, men, New Yorkers, Maya Angelou, Pakistanis, Calcutta children, and poor people. What a "townie!"
See is NOT a writer, she is someone who writes. Worst of all, she lacks compassion and is completely self-serving. I would never recommend this book or any of her books after this read. For a better, kinder, more graceful book on writing, try Stephen King's On Writing, Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, or Annie Dillard's The Writing Life. Best of all, get Janet Burroway's book on writing fiction (that's the technical nuts and bolts it takes to write well, the self help will come AFTER mastering scenes, dialogue, narration, story, etc)
See should have kept her self-help rant book separate from her writing advice book. Quit being so passive aggressive and be a real writer. I wish I could give this 0 stars.
Book Review: The most REALISTIC writing handbook
Summary: 5 Stars
There are a lot of writing guides and publishing handbooks out there, and the majority of them make unrealistic promises and prophecies for a happy writing life.... As if all you need is a copy of Writer's Market (yep, it helps) and an extra hour of free time and a small dose of courage. We all know the formula doesn't always work -- and See is careful to remind us of the facts. The writing life ain't easy!
Furthermore, as See reminds us, getting published isn't always the answer to our dreams. Even if publishing does bring fleeting fame and a little extra cash, our friends and family are often the last to be pleased or impressed. I love the chapter on how to deal with so-called friends who are not supportive of your work as well as people who have trouble figuring out what to say (duh) about your published stuff. See's take on this is pure gold.
See shows us how to deal with personal and professional jealousy, sagging book sales, disinterested editors, and uninspiring days. Her book is funny, wise, useful, and very, very real.
Book Review: A fun gossip, but light on advice
Summary: 2 Stars
Carolyn See has a fine time dropping names and filling us in on the wacky childhood that led her to be a writer. She's good at these things, although she could have skipped some of the gossip about celeb writers. The 'euww' factor definitely comes into play.
If you're a beginning writer looking for advice, skip this book and move on to Stephen King's 'On Writing', Donald Maass' 'Writing the Breakout Novel', or Blake Snyder's 'Save the Cat'. These are all finely written books that not only fire your blood to write, write, write, but are rich in detailed advice that you can use.
By the time See gets to the advice, she seems bored. She does wisely emphasize courtesy as a watchword with which to begin ones career.
Take the title literally; See is speaking to writers who want to write the literary novel. She sneers at her father's choice of writing mystery novels, and this book is dated enough that the ebook publishing explosion is not even addressed.
Book Review: Inspirational
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm an academic. I purchased this book because of a lack of motivation for writing that I've been feeling for the last couple of years. I highly recommend the book. What I like most is Carolyn See's personal touch. When reading the book I feel like I'm sitting and having a conversation with Carolyn and that she knows me and my world well enough to anticipate my questions, complaints, feelings and needs. Best of all, she makes me laugh out loud. Through my "conversations" with Carolyn, I have come to know myself better. I'd recommend this book for any kind of writer. Although she primarily discusses fiction writing, she has taught me a lot about non-fiction writing as well -- and you can't get more non-fiction than academic writing. Regardless of the type of writing you do, this book will help you find your "voice" and like it.Book Review: an inspiration and practical guide
Summary: 5 Stars
Making a Literary Life is the most practical and encouraging friend a writer or aspiring writer or maybe-someday-writer could have. It is supportive in all the right ways, shockingly honest, laugh-out-loud funny, deeply affecting, philosophical, raunchy, useful, and thoughtful. I savored it slowly because I didn't want to lose its companionship, and am in the process of adopting many of Carolyn See's suggestions for making a literary life. This Amazon review is the first of my "charming notes" (altho not in the recommended format of 9 handwritten lines written to an author or publisher or magazine editor on nice personalized stationery). My next will be to the author herself who has touched me deeply with this work. I look forward to reading all of her other books.