rules of spontaneous prose (by jack kerouac)

Jack Kerouac’s brilliant, heartfelt advice about writing. Typically, silliness mixed in with profound wisdom. What a great mind and a loving heart the man had!

Is My Book Idea Worth Pursuing?

I am often asked by hesitant, would-be authors if I would take a look at their manuscripts and then tell them whether I think their idea for a book is “worth pursuing.” I always look at the work before answering the question. But, to be honest, I have never yet answered that question with a “no.” And it’s hard for me to imagine the circumstances in which I ever would. Here’s why…

The American Writers Museum: Isn’t It About Time?

Out of approximately 17,500 museums in the United States, not a single one (yet) is devoted to a comprehensive overview of American writers, their work, and their influence on our history, our identity, our culture, and our daily lives. Malcolm O’Hagan, an Irish immigrant with a passion for American literature, intends to change that–and he needs our help.

Seeking Connection with Writers

Why do we look for connection with writers in the places they lived instead of in the words they left us with? In a thought-provoking new book, Anne Trubek explores this question and comes up with some interesting, and complicated, answers. It’s a question I’ve wondered about too.

Sam Shepard: Masterful Poet of the Theater

Day 5 of Words Matter Week posed this challenge for bloggers: “Words, like moths, are captured by writers who pin them to the page in various forms. What writer’s work most deftly captivates you? Why?”

My Favorite Quote About Words

Today is Day 3 of Words Matter Week, and the blog prompt for today is: What is your favorite quote about words? Why?

Habits and Techniques of Writers: Storytelling

Storytelling is not about conveying information. It’s about the joy of entering a world created by the storyteller, a world that can be entered and enjoyed as many times as the story is told well.

And whose story is worth telling? Everyone’s.

Habits and Techniques of Writers: Engagement

In the introduction to this series, I talked about the art of careful observation. This post is about engagement. When is a writer NOT engaged, in some way, in “writing”?

Introducing Habits and Techniques of Writers: Observation

If anyone can be a writer, if writing is as natural as talking, then what is there to learn in a writing workshop? This new occasional column will explore some of the habits and techniques of writers.

Hulstrand’s Five Golden Rules of Editing

The five most important rules to follow when editing your work.