Notes on a Writer's Life: A Memoir

by David Adams Richards

Notes on a Writer's Life is the author's account of his more than fifty years as a writer. It chronicles his early childhood, his high school years of turmoil and rebellion, and his uneasy relationship with both publishers and academics. Throughout, Richards records his continuous investigation into human conflict, into the chasm between the seeking of power and the knowledge of love. The book also deliberates on his examination into the nature of violence, both overt and coercive, that he has considered in thirty-five books. Richards describes his travels to various parts of the world, his love of the sea, his love of Spain, and his fight against alcoholism. Crucially and poignantly, he recounts how for years his wife Peggy has been his greatest ally and supporter. Notes on a Writer's Life also includes his relationships with other writers — his respect for Alden Nowlan, Alistair MacLeod, P.K. Page, Joel Hines, and Patrick Lane, and his friendship with Ray Fraser among others. Here, too, are his views on writers like Orwell, Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky.

Readers will learn of his determination to write against the odds, from the early books like The Coming of Winter, Blood Ties and Lives of Short Duration , to his later works, such as Mercy Among the Children, Crimes Against My Brother , and Darkness . Richards believes that suffering is inherent and so is joy. He reflects on the absolute necessity of reaching toward a spiritual life (if not a religious one) as well as his knowledge of war and revolutions, and how both swallow humanity's greater need for justice and liberty.

According to Professor William Connor, "Judged by the quality, scope, volume and variety of his writing — his stubborn almost compulsive bravery (Richards) towers over the great majority of contemporary Canadian writers."

186 pages, Paperback

Published July 27, 2023

About the author

David Adams Richards (born 17 October 1950) is a Canadian novelist, essayist, screenwriter and poet.

Born in Newcastle, New Brunswick, Richards left St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, one course shy of completing a B.A. Richards has been a writer-in-residence at various universities and colleges across Canada, including the University of New Brunswick.

Richards has received numerous awards including 2 Gemini Awards for scriptwriting for Small Gifts and "For Those Who Hunt The Wounded Down", the Alden Nowlan Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the Canadian Authors Association Award for his novel Evening Snow Will Bring Such Peace. Richards is one of only three writers to have won in both the fiction and non-fiction categories of the Governor General's Award. He won the 1988 fiction award for Nights Below Station Street and the 1998 non-fiction award for Lines on the Water: A Fisherman's Life on the Miramichi. He was also a co-winner of the 2000 Giller Prize for Mercy Among the Children.

In 1971, he married the former Peggy MacIntyre. They have two sons, John Thomas and Anton Richards, and currently reside in Toronto.

John Thomas was born in 1989 in Saint John, New Brunswick.

The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick administers an annual David Adams Richards Award for Fiction.

Richards' papers are currently housed at the University of New Brunswick.

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. I felt it was a bit of a stream of consciousness, but that's fine. David Adams Richards is such an interesting person. I've heard him speak on several occasions and laughed so hard every time. He's a hoot, and takes no prisoners. I recommend this book to all readers, especially those who lived in rural areas.

[David]

Assertive and straightforward, this is the kind of book which will, as has most of Richards' oeuvre, cause some to applaud and others to jeer. Except, one supposes, that most of those inclined to jeer will probably not do Richards the courtesy of reading the book. Lots of reference to his various works for those who like the "I wonder what he was thinking when he wrote..." approach, and an effective, if occasionally irascible, summary of an enormous and influential body of work as advanced by the mind behind the writing.

[Angela Joynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure what I expected when I started David Adams Richard’s “Notes on a Writer’s Life” but it was not the raw candor and insight throughout this book. There are not many “two-timer” books in this life (books you finish and turn right around and read again) but this is one of them.

I love Senator Richards’s examination of human nature, love versus violence, and the absolute need for spirituality to uplift the human condition. When I was a poor, young girl growing up in New Brunswick and wanting to be a writer, I wish I’d known about DAR then. I might not have gone to medical school!!

I highly recommend this book, especially for other writers. These pages have helped me look in the mirror a little more clearly. So thank you, Sen David Adams Richards!

[Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book by DAR. This is a self appointed survey of his works, an explanation of his writing, why he writes, what great writing is. Needs to be reread several times in conjunction with his other books and so that we might examine our own lives and somehow move towards beauty.

[Sandra Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long awaited memoir by one of Canada's best respected novelists. Although it does deal with DARs life, it also delves into the meaning and inspiration behind each of his many novels. Incitful.

[Enid Wray]

One of my favourite Canadian authors. Interesting enough but I would have liked so much more.

[Robert Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read from a local author.

[Rhonda Bulmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up on the Miramichi, not because I have family ties there but because my father got a job with the Department of National Defence. So when I read DAR's books centred on the Miramichi, I read them through the lens of my own experience.

This is a revealing and very honest memoir about his life, and he's not afraid to name names - people who he found were unkind, unsupportive or cruel regarding his writing. Naively, I assumed that a writer of his stature, who showed talent at such an early age, would never experience a lack of respect or support from professors, etc.

It made me wonder if a writer is born, or made? I too am a writer, but I don't think I have his natural talent and focus. If you are a fan of DAR's work, you will certainly find this peek into his life fascinating.