cover image The Writer on Her Work

The Writer on Her Work

Janet Sternburg. W. W. Norton & Company, $19.95 (2pp) ISBN 978-0-393-02804-1

In this second collection of original essays, following a volume published 10 years ago and edited by Sternburg as well, 20 women writers--poets, novelists and essayists--from five continents address their experience of the creative process and the sources from which it springs. While the pieces take myriad forms--from Jan Morris's decisive assault on gender-ascribed art to Ursula LeGuin's poem on the myths informing women's writing--many authors here discourse on common if by no means universal themes. They discuss the effects of routine, landscape, children and travel on their work; reading and its influence, and figures of inspiration to them. Of special interest are comments on the imperative to write. Joy Williams puts it: ``Assemble the ambulances. Something is going to happen.'' With its many voices, images and aphorisms--from those of Maxine Kumin to Luisa Valenzuela, from Rita Dove to Elizabeth Jolley--the book is a pleasure and a faithful companion. (Mar.)