In a world where creative writing workshops have become a ubiquitous part of the literary landscape, one writer is taking a bold stand against the conventional wisdom. Elizabeth McCracken, a novelist and memoirist, has penned A Long Game, a craft book that dares to challenge the status quo.
Unlike traditional guides to writing, which often promise to impart valuable secrets and advice, McCracken's approach is refreshingly honest. She begins by stating that "nobody knows how to write a book," and sets out to dismantle the cosy consensus that has dominated creative writing workshops for decades. With her signature epigrammatic style, she skewers the usual tropes of workshop feedback, from the tedious exhortations to "show, don't tell" to the hackneyed advice to "write what you know."
Mccracken's rejection of conventional wisdom is not simply a matter of personal taste; it's a deliberate attempt to challenge writers to rethink their approach. She argues that writing isn't about following rules or obeying a set of instructions, but rather about embracing the raw, unbridled energy of creative expression. As she so aptly puts it, "Writing is a form of sustained mischievous truancy – not about being good."
For writers who have been poisoned by overly prescriptive workshop feedback, McCracken's message will be a breath of fresh air. She offers an antidote to the kind of advice that can stifle creativity and make writing feel like a chore. Instead, she suggests harnessing the power of self-loathing as a way to stay motivated and focused.
One of the most striking aspects of A Long Game is its tone, which is at once incisive and irreverent. McCracken's writing is laced with a sense of humor and a healthy dose of sarcasm, making her critique feel more like a conversation with a trusted friend than a lecture from a self-appointed authority figure.
Ultimately, A Long Game is a book that will challenge writers to think differently about their craft. It may not offer any easy answers or simplistic solutions, but it does promise to free writers from the tyranny of conventional wisdom and unleash them upon the world like the mischievous tricksters they are meant to be.
Unlike traditional guides to writing, which often promise to impart valuable secrets and advice, McCracken's approach is refreshingly honest. She begins by stating that "nobody knows how to write a book," and sets out to dismantle the cosy consensus that has dominated creative writing workshops for decades. With her signature epigrammatic style, she skewers the usual tropes of workshop feedback, from the tedious exhortations to "show, don't tell" to the hackneyed advice to "write what you know."
Mccracken's rejection of conventional wisdom is not simply a matter of personal taste; it's a deliberate attempt to challenge writers to rethink their approach. She argues that writing isn't about following rules or obeying a set of instructions, but rather about embracing the raw, unbridled energy of creative expression. As she so aptly puts it, "Writing is a form of sustained mischievous truancy – not about being good."
For writers who have been poisoned by overly prescriptive workshop feedback, McCracken's message will be a breath of fresh air. She offers an antidote to the kind of advice that can stifle creativity and make writing feel like a chore. Instead, she suggests harnessing the power of self-loathing as a way to stay motivated and focused.
One of the most striking aspects of A Long Game is its tone, which is at once incisive and irreverent. McCracken's writing is laced with a sense of humor and a healthy dose of sarcasm, making her critique feel more like a conversation with a trusted friend than a lecture from a self-appointed authority figure.
Ultimately, A Long Game is a book that will challenge writers to think differently about their craft. It may not offer any easy answers or simplistic solutions, but it does promise to free writers from the tyranny of conventional wisdom and unleash them upon the world like the mischievous tricksters they are meant to be.
I'm loving this book already! McCracken's no-nonsense approach is just what we need in a world where everyone's trying to tell you how to write. "Nobody knows how to write a book" - that's like me saying, "I don't know how to do laundry"... yeah, never happened 
. But seriously, it's refreshing to see someone challenge the status quo and say it's okay not to have all the answers. I mean, writing is supposed to be messy and chaotic, right? 
. I mean, who doesn't feel suffocated by all those writing workshop rules? It's so true that nobody knows how to write a book and we're just winging it anyway 
. Her honesty is super refreshing and I love how she pokes fun at the usual feedback we get from workshops 
. I mean, who needs some stuffy old guide tellin' you what's "right" or "wrong"? That's just a bunch of folks tryin' to exert control over your creative expression. It's all about empowerment, baby! And McCracken's message is music to my ears - writing should be about embracin' the messiness and uncertainty, not some sterile, cookie-cutter approach.
That kind of freedom is what we need more of in our society - people takin' risks, breakin' rules, and creatin' somethin' new. The more I read A Long Game, the more I'm convinced that McCracken's onto somethin'. We should be encouragin' writers to be their own worst critics, not some soulless, workshop-spawned version of themselves 
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. No more forcing it to fit into a certain mold or trying to follow a set plan! Just let your freak flag fly and see where it takes you 
mccracken's tone is so refreshing it feels like she's speaking straight to me 
i'm all about embracing the raw energy of creative expression and not following rules for rules sake. self-loathing as a motivator? yeah tell me more 
but this one actually sounds kinda cool. i love that she's not afraid to speak her mind and challenge the norm. and omg, self-loathing as a motivator? never thought of it that way... maybe its true though? like if you hate what you're writing, maybe thats a sign to keep going 
. I love how she calls out the workshop feedback as just a bunch of cop-out advice 
that's some real talk for me! It's refreshing to see someone who's not afraid to challenge the status quo and tell writers to take risks 
. Can't wait to dive into more of her work 
. She's not here to spoon-feed you "the secret to writing a bestseller" or anything like that. No way, she's gonna knock down those expectations and make you think differently about your craft. I mean, who needs rules when you can just tap into that raw energy of creative expression? It's like she's saying, don't be afraid to fail, because that's where the magic happens! 
. Her tone is so conversational and witty, it feels like you're having a chat with a fellow writer who gets your frustrations 
A Long Game sounds like just what we need - someone to shake things up in the writing world! Elizabeth McCracken's attitude is everything, you know? 
And her tone in the book is everything - incisive, irreverent, and hilarious. I'm definitely adding this to my reading list ASAP! 
. We're all just figuring it out as we go along, and that's what makes writing so exciting.
give me raw, unbridled energy any day 