The Essayist at Work: Profiles of Creative Nonfiction Writers
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.70 (535 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0435081519 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 232 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-05-30 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Inspirational & Practical Exploration of Creative Nonfiction Compiled by the founder and editor of the journal, Creative Nonfiction, this book is a must-read for any writer interested in the practical and theoretical aspects of writing creative nonfiction. The anthology offers a diversity of contemporary literary voices ranging from John McPhee to Terry Tempest Williams. Although the writers profiled have sometimes conflicting opinions about the role of the essay in society or the way in which it should be written or approached, they are all passionate about and intimate with the form. Each writer discus
New insight into the lifestyles, techniques, and literary philosophies of some of the genre's most respected writers, including Annie Dillard, John McPhee, and others.
But the many fine essays--by the likes of Annie Dillard, Gay Talese, and Tracy Kidder--far outweigh the few that seem to limp along. According to Gutkind, it is the use of the intimate detail that sets creative nonfiction apart, and McPhee, says Pearson, "is a lover of small details." He has also been described as having "total recall," which is partly why, perhaps, he discourages Pearson's use of a tape recorder during their interview. --Jane Steinberg. In the book's introduction, Gutkind addresses the differences between creative nonfiction and other types of writing. "In creative nonfiction," he says, "writers can be poetic and journalistic simultaneously." In journalistic prose, the writer is invisible; in creative nonfiction, says Gutkind, "a writer's f