utter randomonium

The Creative Writer’s Survival Guide: Advice from an Unrepentant Novelist by John McNally: I love the idea of being an “unrepentant” novelist. So many creative writing books fall into one of two categories: 1) publishers don’t like new authors and you won’t get published unless your brother-in-law owns Random House, and 2) let the words flow and worry about quality later, at a time not covered by this book. McNally, who is both a published author and veteran of the academic side of the trade, offers a refreshingly different viewpoint. He works from the assumption that his readers are “young” (that is, inexperienced) writers seriously considering making their pastime passion into a full-time gig. Though there is almost no discussion of the actual craft of writing, he does cover various educational options and goes through the publication and employment processes with equal parts encouragement and realism. If you’re serious about writing as a career, this is an excellent resource.

Also posted on BookCrossing.
Read as part of the Books Won Reading Challenge.