Inside Creative Writing: Interviews with Contemporary Writers

by Graeme Harper (Editor)

High profile writers, including Philip Pullman, Nadine Gordimer, Kate Grenville and Robert Pinsky, talk about their writing practice and ways of working. Designed with the needs of creative writers in mind, Graeme Harper explores both practice and process, asking authors questions about subjects ranging from motivation to creativity to drafting.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2012

Reviews

[Anthony Panegyres · Rating 1 out of 5]

Writers' responses felt either forced or insipid or disinterested. Harper attempts to create something more out of these half-hearted responses but it's like building a brick house from straw. A dud. If you want writers with some real passion for the subject, I'd recommened Writers on Writing: Essays from the New York Times.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of these interviews were rather interesting. There were a variety of perspectives regarding writing. The things that I appreciated learning from this book, is that every writer starts at the beginning. Also, while talent is needed, hard work is almost more important. If you aren't willing to spend the time to get better, it really doesn't matter how talented you are. Really great read about the philosophical side of writing- now on to reading more about the practical side.

[Zezee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's great to read books like this because they give the reader an insight into what the author thinks and considers. You learn of the writing process and a bit of what made the person become a writer.

I did find the book boring and instead of reading straight through, I just skipped to the Q&A with the writers.