John Gardner addresses the psychological and vocational realities of the creative life rather than technical mechanics. He examines the specific temperament required for sustained fiction writing, emphasizing the importance of "daemonic compulsivity," verbal sensitivity, and the capacity for maintaining a vivid continuous dream in the reader's mind. The text breaks down the stages of a writer’s apprenticeship, discussing the necessity of liberal arts education, the utility of writing workshops, and the internal discipline needed to survive years of professional rejection before achieving publication.
This guide targets aspiring writers and students of literature who want an honest assessment of their own aptitude for the craft. Readers finish the book with a realistic framework for evaluating their creative endurance and a clearer understanding of the social and economic obstacles within the publishing industry. It serves as a diagnostic tool for artistic commitment, providing a sober perspective on whether an individual possesses the obsessive focus and linguistic precision required to produce serious literature.
- Published
- 1983
- Language
- EN
