Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors (Paperback)

by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Author) "You might think all writers do is write..." (more)
Key Phrases: fictional skills, emotion log, free within ourselves, African American, Gracie Mae, Alice Walker (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Sure, Jewell Parker Rhodes is African American. Many of the writing traditions to which she refers in Free Within Ourselves--the slave narrative, trickster legends--are specific to African American culture. The resonant works of short fiction, reprinted here in their entirety, that she uses to illustrate fictional elements were written by such African Americans as Zora Neale Hurston, Charles Johnson, Toni Cade Bambara, and John Edgar Wideman. The 67 authors whose pearls of writing wisdom bring this book to its fine conclusion are all African American. Rhodes even bills her book as "fiction lessons for black authors." So why should the rest of us bother?

Because Rhodes has written a rich and vibrant guide to creating fiction, and she's engaged a whole community of celebrated writers to show us how it's done. Like the authors of many such books, Rhodes touches on all the expected aspects of fiction writing: character, plot, viewpoint, description, dialogue, theme, and revision. But as Rhodes takes a different approach, reading this book is like coming upon a familiar sight from a completely new angle. For instance, fiction writers tell stories. That's what they do. But black Americans, because slaves were not allowed to read or write, come from a strong and enduring oral storytelling tradition, a tradition that exists, in various forms, even today. Find a storyteller, recommends Rhodes, and write a page in his or her voice. "Listen for the 'gaps' in one of your family's stories," she says. "Listen for the silences, for what might be left unsaid, the secrets, then--imagine." Especially fine, too, is Rhodes's chapter on dialogue, which includes a section on subtext and a fascinating discussion about dialect, particularly apropos, as "African Americans often shift between standard and Black English."

Unlike the authors of many such books, Rhodes is well aware that most of us don't have eight hours a day to sit, uninterrupted, composing. There are jobs, dishes, children, and life to be lived. Still, she reminds us, "slowing down doesn't mean stopping." Do what you can. And remember: "This is your one and only life. Don't cheat yourself on your goals." --Jane Steinberg

Review
Praise for Jewell Parker Rhodes's Magic City:

"A compelling page-turner that will keep readers hoping against hope that everything will, magically, turn out for the best." --The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Jewell Parker Rhodes's characters hover. They dance and sing and cry and whisper secrets in your ear." --Emerge -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Main Street Books; 1st edition (October 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385491751
• ISBN-13: 978-0385491754
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #889,778 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful resource for people of color and all people., March 13, 2000

By	Dera R Williams (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a wonderful resource this is. My writing partner and I have reaped hours of writing pleasure from the exercises and the resources this book has to offer. I applaud Ms. Parker Rhodes for compiling a great cast of writers who were willing to share their insights and stories to help their brothers and sisters develop their craft. However, though the book is geared toward black writers, the teachings are invaluable to anyone interested in improving their writing,

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo, January 9, 2000

By	Timmothy B. McCann (Gainesville, Fl United States) - See all my reviews

This is a truly amazing book that should be on the shelves of any person serious about the art and craft of writing. Thank you Dr. Parker-Rhodes for serving the need of so many writers trying to make their best even better.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IF YOU WANT TO WRITE, READ THIS BOOK!, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

Jewell Parker Rhodes wrote this book for Black writers, but it is a good book for anyone who wants to learn more about writing by studying the works of brilliant authors.

The book discusses various writing techniques and follows each with exercises and examples. People say they wish they had this book when they were starting out. But I'm glad to have it now. We can never get to where we write "well enough". The advice given in this text is valuable to writers at any level of experience.