Synopses & Reviews
"Writing a novel," says John Dufresne, "is not as easy as you may have thought before you tried. But it's also not as difficult as you imagined." Dufresne's smart, practical, hard-nosed guide is for the person who has always wanted to write a novel but has been daunted by the sometimes chaotic, always challenging writing process. A patient teacher and experienced writer, Dufresne focuses his expertise and good humor on helping aspiring novelists take their first tentative steps. His six-month program variously calls attention to the key elements of good fiction writing and offers exercises that are designed to sharpen writers' command of novel-length storytelling. After six months of guided writing, the users of this book will finish what might have once seemed impossible--a rich and compelling first draft of a novel. may well be the most important addition to the aspiring writer's library.
Review
"Where the %$#@ was this book when I was writing my first novel? My second? My third? Well, it's here now, and I'm thankful, again, for John Dufresne, who not only teaches us in his brilliant novels and stories, but in these practical guides as well. I'm going to recommend Is Life Like This? to all my students. And friends." Tom Franklin, author of Poachers and Hell at the Breach
Review
"Is there any living writer who can talk about the art of writing fiction with greater wit, intelligence, precision and wisdom than John Dufresne? I seriously doubt it. His new book belongs on the shelf alongside John Gardner's and E. M. Forster's . I highly recommend it." Steve Yarbrough, author of The End of California
Synopsis
Is Life Like This? may well be the most important addition to the aspiring writer s library. "
Synopsis
John Dufresne's smart, practical, hard-nosed guide is for the person who has always wanted to write a novel but has been daunted by the sometimes chaotic, always challenging writing process. A patient teacher and an experienced writer, Dufresne focuses his expertise and good humor on helping aspiring novelists take their first tentative steps.
Synopsis
"Belongs on the shelf alongside John Gardner's The Art of Fictionand E. M. Forster's Aspects of the Novel."—Steve Yarbrough
Synopsis
John Dufresne's smart, practical, hard-nosed guide is for the person who has always wanted to write a novel but has been daunted by the sometimes chaotic, always challenging writing process. A patient teacher and an experienced writer, Dufresne focuses his expertise and good humor on helping aspiring novelists take their first tentative steps.
Synopsis
"[Dufresne's] generous, wise, cajoling, stern, and compassionate voice will get you working right away."--Brad Watson
About the Author
John Dufresne is the author of seven books, including the New York Times Notable Books Love Warps the Mind a Little and Louisiana Power & Light. Among other honors, he has received a Guggenheim Fellowship. He teaches in the Creative Writing Department at Florida International University and lives in Dania Beach, Florida.