Full Description
In Bringing the Devil to His Knees: The Craft of Fiction and the Writing Life, seventeen award-winning writers--all expert teachers--share the secrets of creating compelling, imaginative stories and novels. A combination handbook, writer's companion, and collection of spirited personal essays, the book is filled with specific examples, hard-won wisdom, and compassionate guidance for the developing or experienced fiction writer.
Each of the contributors is a current or former lecturer at the Warren Wilson College MFA Program for Writers, one of the most highly respected writing programs in the country. Included are essays by Charles Baxter, Robert Boswell, Karen Brennan, Judith Grossman, Ehud Havazelet, C. J. Hribal, Margot Livesey, Michael Martone, Kevin McIlvoy, Pablo Medina, Antonya Nelson, Susan Neville, Richard Russo, Steven Schwartz, Jim Shepard, Joan Silber, Debra Spark, Peter Turchi, and Chuck Wachtel.
Rich with masterful examples and personal anecdotes, these imaginative essays provide hard-earned insight into a writer's work. The book will interest not only those seeking inspiration and guidance to become stronger writers, but also readers of contemporary literary fiction, who will find a number of surprising and original approaches to the writer's work by award-winning practitioners adept at teaching others what they know.
Contents
Introduction Part One/Techniques, Devices, and Strategies Richard Russo
In Defense of Omniscience Jim Shepard
I Know Myself Real Well. That's the Problem Susan Neville
Where's Iago? Steven Schwartz
Finding a Voice in America Chuck Wachtel
Behind the Mask: Narrative Voice in Fiction Joan Silber
Weight in Fiction Ehud Havazelet Chekhov and Form Charles Baxter
""You're Really Something"": Inflection and the Breath of Life Debra Spark
Getting In and Getting Out: First Words on First (and Last) Words Part Two/Maps and Legends Karen Brennan
Dream, Memory, Story, and the Recovery of Narrative Robert Boswell
Narrative Spandrels C. J. Hribal
The Scene Beast Is Hungry Peter Turchi
The Writer as Cartographer Antonya Nelson
""Mom's on the Roof"": The Usefulness of Jokes in Shaping Short Stories Part Three/Facing Up to the Reader Michael Martone
Ruining a Story Kevin McIlvoy
The Editor Comes Clean at Last (A Tale of One Rejection Letter and One Acceptance Letter to Stephen Crane) Pablo Medina
Literature and Democracy Judith Grossman
Thinking about a Reader Margot Livesey
How to Tell a True Story
