Making a Literary Life: Advice for Writers and Other Dreamers

Rating:
Summary: A narrative instructor
Review: This book will not help you with the hard work necessary to become a writer. Instead it teaches you to create a "literary life" so you can dream you are part of the world of writers. The title is in fact quite honest; so is the author's quote about herself in the Intro: "Carolyn cares more about the writing life than she does about writing."

I bought this book because several writers I admire recommended it, called it "original" and praised its practical advice. There is in fact very little advice about writing in the book which has not been given (more clearly and directly) by others (Dorothea Brande, Anne Lamott); and the few actual suggestions about writing are buried in an avalanche of humor so relentless that it soon becomes annoying. The few original ideas (e.g. "charming notes") are also just PR in a literary life, not advice that will help you to write those 1000 words each day.