Customer Reviews

The Making of a Writer, Volume 2: Journals, 1963-1969

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I own almost all of Gail Godwin's books bought through used and some new. I loved the Volume 1 of her Journals and actually identified with her struggles in maintaining a writing frame of mind and discipline of journaling. However, this second volume contains a different Gail due to her influence in Scientology. She went through some complex changes in these years but my fascination stayed swelled by her character formation from her journal stories. I highly recommend one to read some of her earlier books and then peruse her journals. It is amazing. I have my own notes on her journals. She is a classic writer that knows how to intertwine a story so one has a flow and not a steady plot moving. I like to describe her books as literary waves. Her journals are affirming to any writer who knows what it is to get away from the daily entry.

I am about 2/3 through the journals and am eager to finish. I find the entries honest, fascinating, and very informative. Seeing the contrast between Volume 1 and Volume 2 engages me further, as in Volume 1 little mention of spirituality was made; in Volume 2 the author's explorations become clearer, and one can see the emergence of a shift that later manifests in Godwin's fiction. The humanity of the journals creates a song in my heart and gives me hope for myself, regarding what I can accomplish despite the confusions of my life. The entries are interesting to read even if you don't know Godwin's work, and I highly recommend THE MAKING OF A WRITER, VOL. 2. I recommend vol. 1, as well, but not as highly, as I think the writing and content more vivid here.