The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface As a lifelong reader and aspiring writer, the title The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface immediately struck a chord with me. Authored by Donald Maass, a seasoned literary agent and instructor, this book promises to help writers evoke deep emotional experiences in their readers. I was intrigued by Maass's focus on mastering the art of emotional connection—not just between characters but between the story and the reader. It felt...

Review of Space Crone: A Melodic Journey through Ursula K. Le Guin's Insights As a lifelong fan of Ursula K. Le Guin, the announcement of Space Crone felt like a long-awaited gift. In a time when conversations around gender and aging are vibrantly necessary, it’s inspiring to see Le Guin's profound insights curated in one volume. I dove into this nuancing of her thoughts with the excitement of discovering old friends, eager to be reminded of the brilliance that shaped my understanding of literature and the world. Space Crone is...

Embracing the Messy Journey: A Review of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott “Bird by bird, buddy.” Those words have become a mantra among writers and a beacon of comfort for anyone grappling with life’s overwhelming tasks. When I picked up Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, I was intrigued not only by Anne Lamott’s wit but also her authenticity. Her unique blend of humor and vulnerability captivated me from the first page, and I quickly discovered that this book doesn’t just speak to writers; it...

Discovering Eileen: A Dive into Wifedom: Mrs. Orwell's Invisible Life by Anna Funder When I first heard about Wifedom: Mrs. Orwell's Invisible Life by Anna Funder, I was immediately intrigued. Having admired Funder’s previous work on the stories of former East Germany in Stasiland, it felt like a natural progression to explore another moment in history shrouded in silence yet filled with complexity. This book doesn’t just delve into George Orwell's life; it seeks to unearth the often-overlooked narrative of Eileen O'Shaughnessy, his wife, and a remarkable woman in...