A raw, honest take on writing life.
This book is a must-read for aspiring writers looking to gain insight into the realities of the writing profession. The author's raw, no-holds-barred approach is refreshing and captivating, and his advice on work habits, dealing with bad reviews, and navigating the pitfalls of early success is practical and invaluable. With its honest portrayal of the writing life, this book is sure to inspire and motivate anyone looking to pursue a career in writing.
ISBN: 9780394536484
Authors:
Norman Mailer
Publisher: Random House
Date of Publication: 2003-01-21
Format: Hardcover
Goodreads rating: 3.64
(rated by 636 readers)
Description
“Writing is spooky. There is no routine of an office to keep you going, only the blank page eachmorning, and you never know where your words are coming from, those divine words.”In The Spooky Art , Norman Mailer discusses with signature candor the rewards and trials of the writing life, and recommends the tools to navigate it. Addressing the reader in a conversational tone, he draws on the best of more than fifty years of his own criticism, advice, and detailed observations about the writer’s craft. Mailer explores, among other topics, the use of first person versus third person, the pressing need for discipline, the pitfalls of early success, and the dire matter of coping with bad reviews. While The Spooky Art offers a fascinating preview of what can lie in wait for the student and fledgling writer, the book also has a great deal to say to more advanced writers on the contrary demands of plot and character, the demon writer’s block, and the curious ins-and-outs of publishing. Throughout, Mailer ties in examples from his own career, and reflects on the works of his fellow writers, living and dead—Twain, Melville, Faulkner, Hemingway, Updike, Didion, Bellow, Styron, Beckett, and a host of others. In The Spooky Art , Mailer captures the unique untold suffering and exhilaration of the novelist’s daily life and, while plotting a clear path for other writers to follow, maintains reverence for the underlying mystery and power of the art.
Condition guide
Book Condition Guide
Books in Like New Condition
This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Very Good Condition
This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Good Condition
We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Well Read Condition
This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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A raw, honest take on writing life.
This book is a must-read for aspiring writers looking to gain insight into the realities of the writing profession. The author's raw, no-holds-barred approach is refreshing and captivating, and his advice on work habits, dealing with bad reviews, and navigating the pitfalls of early success is practical and invaluable. With its honest portrayal of the writing life, this book is sure to inspire and motivate anyone looking to pursue a career in writing.
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