From Publishers Weekly
Keyes (Nice Guys Finish Seventh) here suggests that writerly anxiety is an inevitable and necessary part of the writing process. Drawing on his own experience and that of others (often from Paris Review or PW interviews), he explores the varieties of anxieties, for example, "page fright"; the pitfalls of putting family and friends into print; and the tension between fear of self-exposure and thirst for attention. In the book's second half, he explores both harnessing and "finessing" fear, arguing that "inner conviction" is more important than technique. He surveys authors' tics and tricks to get started and the question of circulating works-in-progress. Many writing problems "are really courage problems," Keyes concludes, after suggesting that too many good writers give up too soon. While this book lacks the scope and the personal voice of, say, Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, its psychological acuity should still help lonely scribblers.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.
From Library Journal
Keyes, a widely experienced writer and teacher of writing himself, confronts the major component of fear in every writer's life as most writing courses never do. He shows that while the writer's anxieties-of unearthing unsavory truths about oneself, of exposing oneself to ridicule, of hurting trusting friends-cannot be overcome, they can be harnessed and used to develop serious, powerful writing. Neither preachy nor judgmental, but written by one writer speaking to others, Keyes uses a wealth of contemporary writers from Margaret Atwood to E.B. White as examples, first to identify writers' most common fears, then to discuss how writers have successfully grappled with them. Strong on theory and written with rare directness and wit, his small book is above all practical. Highly recommended for anyone who writes, wants to write, or is taking a writing course.
Charles C. Nash, Cottey Coll., Nevada, Mo.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.
Charles C. Nash, Cottey Coll., Nevada, Mo.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.
