The Company of Writers [Paperback]

Hilma Wolitzer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0140292004 | ISBN-13: 978-0140292008 | Publication Date: February 1, 2001

Aspiring writers are often discouraged by the solitary nature of their work. Many long for a community of peers with whom to share work, empathy, and informed and objective opinions. With The Company of Writers, seasoned writer and writing teacher Hilma Wolitzer provides a captivating, compassionate, and practical guide that shows writers how to find their own creative edge and form support networks.

Wolitzer devotes the first part of the book to creating writing workshops while the second part suggests specific topics for discussion within the group or to address on your own.

Wolitzer also includes valuable tips on building a writer's reference library, useful and provocative exercises, and generous advice from other writers. Whether you are a workshop veteran or a writing-group novice, Wolitzer's experience and encouragement will help you prepare to take creative risks and find useful feedback-and inspiration.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Writing fiction is a solitary occupation," Hilma Wolitzer says, "but not really a lonely one." Perhaps not, but camaraderie is nice, too. Never mind that Wolitzer's first writing-workshop experience was completely humiliating; the workshop leader, Anatole Broyard, later handed her an encouraging note, and she was hooked. Presenting one's work to a writing group, Wolitzer says, is "like having several editors examining the work." Here, she offers advice on forming writing groups and keeping them together. She suggests that the participants bring a combination of honesty and charity to the group, and that they take care to address problems (bossy members, rivalries, absenteeism, and the like) as they arise. She offers recommendations on how to run workshop sessions, including how to critique one another's work. "I always write [my comments] in pencil," she says, "to emphasize that they are only suggestions, not commandments."

In the second half of her book, Wolitzer focuses on a different element of fiction writing in each chapter--plot, setting, dialogue, humor, writing about sex, writing for children, and screenwriting. These are not tutorials; they offer Wolitzer's thoughts and experiences, and those of other writers. The idea behind the book is that these are "focus sessions" to be taken up by a workshop group, but they don't need that tie-in. Any fiction writer, affiliated with a group or not, can appreciate Wolitzer's musings. Wolitzer needn't have tried to mold her thoughts into the writing-workshop premise. Her words reflect a life lived in the company of writers--living, dead, famous, and little-known--and that is enough. --Jane Steinberg

About the Author

Hilma Wolitzer is the author of six novels including the bestsellers Hearts and Tunnel of Love. A popular Bread Loaf lecturer, her awards include the Poets and Writers Writer for Writers award. The Company of Writers is Wolitzer's first nonfiction book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140292004
• ISBN-13: 978-0140292008
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical inspiration for anyone writing creatively, November 7, 2001

By 

Susan K. Perry "Susan K. Perry" (Los Angeles, author of LOVING IN FLOW (BunnyApe.com)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Company of Writers (Paperback)

This is the first book of nonfiction by the author of six wonderful novels -- including some bestsellers -- and a longtime writing instructor. It's a warm and encouraging book by a warm and generous writer (she contributed to my own book on the creative process, Writing in Flow, and I was impressed at that time by her articulateness) about how and why to get involved in a supportive writing community. Rather than fall into an existing group, perhaps composed of wannabes who don't know how to critique usefully or who will feel competitive with each other, you might take Wolitzer's advice and take charge of rounding up like-minded others. She includes rich detail about how to operate such a group, plus lots of concrete advice and suggestions from other authors on the actual writing: dialogue, sex scenes, setting, much more. Smoothly written and enjoyable to read. Marvelously inspiring.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for writers, May 23, 2010

By 

Nancy Smith - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Company of Writers (Paperback)

This is an excellent book, a must read for writers. Hilma Wolitzer gives some great strategies for being part of a writing group and provides insight and encouragement for the personal journey. I loved this book.