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Ayn Rand: My Fiction-Writing Teacher

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Although I owe a lot to Ayn Rand's ideas, I'm not interested in glorifying her. And I've wearied of reading related material, because much of it is uncritical, or worse -- just more titillating (to someone, apparently) natterings about her Inner Circle and excommunications therefrom. It might have been unfair of me to suspect such material would be lurking in the pages of Ayn Rand: My Fiction-Writing Teacher, but other books have wandered off their purported focus and into those thickets. Refreshingly, Holzer did not. She not only stayed on the subject, thus providing an excellent overview of the craft of fiction writing, but she created a three-dimensional portrayal of Rand. Delightfully absent are the clichés of flashing eyes, gathering stormclouds, and absolutist pronouncements; instead the reader is treated to genuine exchanges of ideas between Rand and Holzer. Given the focus of the book on a process -- creating good fiction -- rather than Rand herself, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Holzer achieves such a rich depiction.

Not having seriously tried my hand at fiction, nor likely to do so anytime soon, I nonetheless found Holzer's treatment of the process fascinating. She doesn't glibly state that anyone can create good fiction; however, Holzer does assert that much of the craft can be learned, and offers much to back that claim. In several places I became so intrigued that I was tempted to set some writing exercises for myself. And I'm sure I'm not the only reader to find irony in discovering a chapter titled Flexibility.

Through her willingness to recreate the learning process she went through with Rand as well as her sharing of excerpts of her writing, Holzer vivifies the process of fiction writing. But that's not to suggest that Holzer airily dismisses the challenges inherent in the process; all along the way, she identifies traps that an author can fall into and never climb out of. Nor does her method necessarily doom works to formulaic blandness. Rather, Holzer distills the process to fundamentals, and offers advice gleaned by years of experience.

In Ayn Rand: My Fiction-Writing Teacher, Erika Holzer has accomplished something remarkable: she reaches beyond the mythic figure, beyond the intellectual accomplishments and oft-emphasized human failings, and creates a well-rounded, believable portrayal of Ayn Rand. She also creates a loose how-to that itself reads like an adventure. Any prose writer will find helpful information here; likewise, anyone interested in Rand will enjoy the peek behind the monolithic façade so often encountered.

To a lot of people in my generation, Ayn Rand was more than just a great novelist; through her books, "Atlas Shrugged," and "The Fountainhead," she was also the intellectual guru of a philosophy which held that most of society's advances were created by people who were primarily pursuing their own well-being. Call it the path of enlightened self-interest -- as opposed to the idea of "Go to sleep; Big Daddy government will take care of everything for you."
In other words, when Bill Gates started out, he wasn't trying to become the world's greatest philanthropist; he was trying to become the greatest software innovator who ever lived. The philanthrophy was a result of his success, not the reason for it.
Chalk that one up to Ayn Rand's philosophy. But despite her great influence on our lives, she has always been a character somewhat shrouded in mystery -- until Erika Holzer's new book, "Ayn Rand: My Fiction-Writing teacher."
Ms. Holzer, as a young lawyer in New York City, become a close friend of Ayn Rand's and her very personal memoir goes past the philosophy to help remind us just what an interesting, vital character Ms. Rand was in her lifetime.
She was also one fabulous teacher of writing -- (as witness Ms. Holzer's own novels) -- and this book is highly recommended for anybody who wants to learn to write with power and precision. It belongs on every writer's shelf.
warren m. in virginia beach.

I was thoroughly captivated by Erika Holzer's book--enjoyable on many levels. She is a writer of superb skill who, inspired by Ayn Rand's tutelege, developed her raw talent to become a first-rate novelist. Her ability to share with us, first-hand, Rand's thought processes, not only about writing, but the logic by which she drew conclusions is delicious! There were times when I found myself inside that bubble that encompassed the two of them as they sat on Rand's living room sofa, lost in rapt discussion. She brings Ayn Rand to light. She brings her to life for us, especially those of us who knew her directly, or even indirectly. Holzer's writing style is equal to the task, not an easy assignment when writing about a literary icon such as Ayn Rand. Rand's influence can be seen here, but Holzer's larger-than-life approach--the sense of life she projects is clearly her own. This wonderful account affirms and reminds us of our need to find heroes, not only in Art but in everyday life. In addition to this fascinating journal of her mentorship with the great author, we are treated to two of MS Holzer's short stories. I found both to be intriguing and clever.

Credit should be given to Graphic Designer Iris Bell who has imbued this book with a kind of stately elegance. Her creative touches make this wonderful book all the richer.

I recommend, without reservation, "Ayn Rand: My fiction-Writing Teacher" for its content, its engaging style and for the gift of its spiritual and emotional fuel.

Jeff Warren, Los Angeles

Erika Holzer, the only professional novelist to have ever had Ayn Rand as a teacher and mentor, has written a memoir of that relationship that will fascinate anyone interested in Rand, in the art and craft of fiction writing, and in the struggles of a novelist (Holzer) to get published in a hostile culture. Rand's luminous insights into handling theme, character, plot and style should be invaluable to those aspiring to become writers or simply to those who want to appreciate what goes into telling a fine story. The book has two added bonuses: A compelling portrait of the Olympian novelist-philospher as an endearing personal friend and infinitely patient writing coach; and---as proof that Rand's mentoring has paid off---Holzer's own short story, "The House on Hester Street," a unique and glowing gem.

Each time I read Ayn Rand: My Fiction-Writing Teacher, I feel as though I've walked through a secret doorway.
Erika Holzer's new book is a masterpiece of nuance, wisdom, brilliance and honesty.

You'll find layers and layers of gifts deftly laced throughout each line, page, and chapter. The kind of gifts you'll get right away (lightbulb!) and the kind of gifts that will float into your mind long after you've put her book down (aha!).

If you are a writer seeking guidance ~ you'll find wisdom and teachings here to last you a lifetime. If you are not a writer and are reading her book solely for pleasure ~ you will be entertained and moved, and you will also find wisdom and teachings to last you a lifetime.

Have you read it once? Do yourself a profound favor and read it through again cover to cover. And then again. And then again. Every time you open her book I promise you that something new will click in your mind or heart. This is the talent and gift Erika so easily and generously shares with us.

I am certain I will be reading and re-reading this book for the rest of my life.

Erika Holzer's fascinating story of her relationship with Ayn Rand is more than merely a superficial look at one seldom seen side of Rand, the brilliant fiction author, and the inner workings of Rand's mind thinking about and discussing the process of writing. The joy of reading about how Rand thought and taught is fascinating. This book should be a must read for any new fiction - or non-fiction - writer. The insight into the process of writing that one garners is worth rereading the book --- just as a reminder that it is possible to develop creativity beyond one's dreams.

I remember puzzling over the idea of allowing others to see so deeply inside a writer's mind and soul. Ms. Holzer has explored that issue in such a way that others will be motivated to learn from her experiences being side-by-side with this great author. How one thinks about writing is addressed in this book...how one practices writing...how one allows the subconscious to work -- these are all issues that any writer contemplates and worries over. But to read about them in this book, and to simply be there, in a way, as Rand discusses them with Ms. Holzer is a magnificent way for any pupil of the profession to improve and move beyond the tough and painful process of writing.

Thank you, Erika Holzer, for allowing us to join you as you tell about what surely was an amazing experience and opportunity. I use your book to remind myself that writing is a leaning process that is possible for any of us.

We should all be glad that Ayn Rand and Erika Holzer found each other. As with her other writings, Erika once again proves to be a worthy protégé.

Her new book, intelligently written, not only gives us precious insights into the thinking of one of the great writers of the twentieth century, but is also a useful how-to guide. I didn't realize that fiction writing was so complex yet so learnable.

The ultimate reward of Erika's book is that the reader gets to see two great minds at work.

There is a great method to Erika Holzer's madness in how she put together this excellent book, "Ayn Rand: My Fiction-Writing Teacher." First off, let me say that I have no intention of ever becoming a novelist, and that as a writer, I'm strictly a journalist and essayist. Therefore, I am not exactly part of the "target audience" of such a book. However, I am a lover of movies, short stories and novels, and it is from that vantage point that I read this.

Most of Holzer's "lessons" about writing learnt at the feet of Russian-American novelist Rand took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the living room of Rand's midtown Manhattan apartment. The book gives you that feel, as Holzer lets her anecdotes unfold naturally. As I reader, I never felt as though I were reading a boring by-the-numbers "how-to" book, feeling like the poor sucker at the receiving end of a power-point slide presentation (which is how most 'how-to' books feel, which is why I avoid them like cholera), but instead, Erika's got you sitting in a wing chair, eating a Danish and drinking caffe con leche and thrilling you with "Hey, guess what Ayn told me about holding on to your audience? Don't hit them over the head with the freakin' message!"

It's a nice compendium of life-lessons, disguised as writing tips, and it's clear the author took them to heart, particularly in her short story (printed herein) titled "The House on Hester Street." It is the most charming short story I've read in years! It's really some of her best writing, ever, because it seems her heart was in this one 100%. The plot construction was simple, but not until I got well through the story did I see where it was truly headed. Ending quite like an O. Henry story, but the ironic twist never felt forced. Instead, my reaction was "of course," and, "how perfect."

More so than her two novels (to be fair, I have to re-read "Double Crossing," because it's been 23 years), it shows the influence her "inveterate moviegoing" has had on her writing. As I read it, the whole thing unfolded like the scenes of a movie, the pacing very much like a film's montage. The scene with the central figure and her ailing mother talking, in very crisp, matter-of-fact cuts; the train trip in slow dissolves; the taxi ride to the 5th Avenue library in jump cuts. The letter reading was a dreamy flashback, sepia toned and all. It had a very easy flow to it, like a narrative of a motion picture.

I read a lot of short stories, and aside from Roald Dahl or Daphne duMaurier, most leave me sort of "ho hum." "The House on Hester Street," however, is really one of those short stories that is demanding to be made into a screenplay! I couldn't help thinking that this was where her "Cheryl Taggart as Gibson Girl" mood piece found its true home (though it may also be yet in her upcoming courtroom novel). There's also the feel of H.L. Mencken's reminiscing about his wild days in Baltimore about it, he being a connoiseur of high-toned dames.

Back to the book: If I got a kick out of this just as a casual reader, imagine the gems of great advice you'll get from this if you want to seriously tackle the task of writing the Great American Novel.

Some writers, when trying to teach, fall back on generalities and clichs. However with really good writing, the more specific and personal the material, the more universal the theme. Happily, this is what Erika Holzer achieves with Ayn Rand: My Fiction Writing Teacher. On the surface it seems like a writing book, but it is really so much more. The author takes us on her journey in becoming a writer, and luckily for us, part of this journey includes her relationship with the great Ayn Rand. However, I have to admit, while the descriptions of Ayn Rand's advice and insights were fascinating, I equally enjoyed reading about the author's solitary struggles and her own personal revelations.

This is the best kind of writing book--one that follows one of the most basic rules of good writing: "show, don't tell". Erika Holzer shows us her how she became a novelist, and with this book she uses her experience to blaze a path for others.

Few creative writers provide detailed discussions of the authors who have influenced them. And few teachers of writing have been as individual or as interesting as Ayn Rand. This is a unique and charming book.