I’ve read a lot of essay collections this fall. Could it be because I’ve redoubled my own essay-writing efforts?

Well, of course.

I like to read broadly in the category of my current projects. This gives me a chance to pick up on trends and get a feel for the reading experience people will expect. As a very young writer I wanted to be the author who defied convention and turned reader expectations on their head. I think that’s common at the age(s) when most of us think we’re much smarter t...