Three Lessons from The Writing Life

In the Algonkian novel writing course, which I highly recommend, we had to write book reports and list lessons from each craft book we read, so here are my three lessons from The Writing Life by Annie Dillard:

• Keep a Journal
• Put your Good Stuff in Now
• Writing is Hard.

I found compelling her advice to put your good stuff in now. And look how she writes it!

“One of the things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is the signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.” 

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

But I will note that if my good stuff doesn’t work in my current manuscript and I have to cut that scene, then I am saving it with the hope that maybe it will fit another manuscript better. And hoping that it doesn’t turn to ashes.

The book also helped me as a writer because it showed me how intense writing can be. I read this in the beginning of the Algonkian novel writing course and then returned it to the library, but what I recall most vividly is her description of flying in the plane with the stunt pilot (and her description of her writing room without any comforts). Her writing is brilliant, but she was also a bit intimidating about the writing process. I actually really enjoy writing.

Why Three Lessons from The Writing Life by Annie Dillard?

I like limiting it to three lessons because I find that more manageable, although of course, so many lessons and tips can be learned from each craft book. I also think that different lessons will occur upon re-reading a craft book.

So, as I read writing craft books, I hope to continue this practice of identifying three lessons learned.

Thoughts on the Algonkian Novel Writing Course

As far as the Algonkian novel writing course, I highly highly recommend it, although it is only if you are highly self-motivated to complete it by yourself because it is intense, but there’s no feedback until the end. I learned so much, though, and found the lessons invaluable. Also, for me, it was great that I could complete it at my own pace.

Questions?

Have you read The Writing Life? What were your three lessons? What are your thoughts on keeping a journal? If you are a writer, do you sometimes save your good stuff or do you try to use it all in the current WIP?