John Gardner on Writing: On Becoming a Novelist, On Writers & Writing, and On Moral Fiction

by John Gardner

Three books in one Advice and reflections on modern fiction from “one of the greatest creative writing teachers we’ve ever had” (Frederick Busch). In On Becoming a Novelist, John Gardner advises the aspiring fiction author on such topics as the value of creative writing workshops, the developmental stages of literary growth, and the inevitable experience of writer’s block. Drawn from his two decades of experience in creative writing, Gardner balances his compassion for his students with his knowledge of the publishing industry, and truthfully relates his experiences of the hardships that lie ahead for aspiring authors. In On Writers & Writing, acclaimed novelist John Gardner discusses the craft of fiction writing, taking to task some of his best-known contemporaries in the process. Gardner criticizes some for writing disingenuous fiction, and commends others who produce literature that acts as a life-affirming force. He offers insights into and exacting critiques on such writers as Vladimir Nabokov, John Updike, Saul Bellow, and John Cheever, while addressing his personal influences and delivering broad-ranging observations on literary culture. And in On Moral Fiction, John Gardner’s thesis is “True art is by its nature moral.” Since the book’s first publication, the passion behind Gardner’s assertion has both provoked and inspired readers. In examining the work of his peers, Gardner analyzes what has gone wrong, in his view, in modern art and literature, and how shortcomings in artistic criticism have contributed to the problem. He develops his argument by showing how artists and critics can reintroduce morality and substance to their work to improve society and cultivate our morality.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

759 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2013

About the author

John Champlin Gardner was a well-known and controversial American novelist and university professor, best known for his novel Grendel, a retelling of the Beowulf myth.

Gardner was born in Batavia, New York. His father was a lay preacher and dairy farmer, and his mother taught English at a local school. Both parents were fond of Shakespeare and often recited literature together. As a child, Gardner attended public school and worked on his father's farm, where, in April of 1945, his younger brother Gilbert was killed in an accident with a cultipacker. Gardner, who was driving the tractor during the fatal accident, carried guilt for his brother's death throughout his life, suffering nightmares and flashbacks. The incident informed much of Gardner's fiction and criticism — most directly in the 1977 short story "Redemption," which included a fictionalized recounting of the accident.

From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gar...

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything you might want to know.

[Cynthia Rosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the preface we understand from Gardner that the book ahead will be dense and carefully crafted prose, shot straight from the heart, and underscored by long experience in the craft of writing. On page xxiii, Gardner lets the aspiring writer know it’s going to be a hard journey, not only in hours at the page, but also in personal integrity: “Fine workmanship – art that avoids cheap and easy effects, takes no shortcuts, struggles never to lie even about the most trifling matters…gives pleasure and a sense of life’s worth and dignity not only to the reader, but to the writer as well.”
Novelists are people stuck with their profession, although it earns little and makes the dog thin. Gardner hits the nail on the head when he says: “Nothing is harder than being a true novelist, unless that is all one wants to be, in which case, though becoming a true novelist is hard, everything else is harder,” (page 70). That sums up a writer’s career – keep going, because you’re stuck with it. Nothing else will be as fulfilling, and might even make you downright miserable.

[Phil Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stoked my fiery passion to become a novelist and write stories. As Gardner poured out his wisdom, I was like, "Yes! That's exactly how I feel!" It struck a chord with me and made me want to write more--to write better. I have re-visited these pages a number of times. A favorite quote has now become my mantra: " . . . the writer who sets down exactly what he sees and feels, carefully revising time after time until he fully believes it, noticing when what he's saying is mere rhetoric or derivative vision, noticing when what he's said is not noble or impressive but silly--that writer, insofar as the world is just, will outlast Gibraltar."

[Mr. S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by the master. Extremely informative, detailed, and honest about the journey.