Among the 19 authors Ellis interviewed for this book, there are two points of consensus. Almost all of the interviewees call revision the most essential element of successful writing, and in general they agree that a love of reading is the best preparation for a writing career. Ellis (Now Write!
) is an astute reader. Her questions show insight and sensitivity. Most of her subjects—who include Jill McCorkle, Edward P. Jones, Paul Lisick, Ron Carlson, Margot Livesey and Julia Glass—seem open, candid and eager to talk about their creative process. (Yiyun Li, author of the novel Vagrants
, offers the most provocative opinions.) Yet for all of the interesting information, the interviews have a certain sameness, due in part to the q&a format, with the same questions in every interview: how do authors choose a title; what comes first, plot or character; she quotes from authors like Virginia Woolf or Ha Jin in each interview, asking the interviewee to agree or disagree. Those cavils aside, this will be a useful volume to aspiring writers and to readers eager to plumb the creative process of writers whose work they admire. (Nov.)
