We wanted to be writers : life, love, and literature at the Iowa Writers' Workshop / [edited by] Eric Olsen and Glenn Schaeffer.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Olsen, Eric, 1948-

Schaeffer, Glenn.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Iowa Writers' Workshop.

Creative writing (Higher education)--Iowa--History--20th century.

Creative writing (Higher education).

Authorship--Study and teaching.

Authorship.

History.

Iowa.

Physical Description:

344 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Skyhorse Pub., [2011]

Summary:

We Wanted to be Writers is a rollicking and insightful blend of original interviews, commentary, advice, gossip, anecdotes, analyses, history, and asides with nearly thirty graduates and teachers at the now legendary Iowa Writers' Workshop between 1974 and 1978. Among the talents that emerged in those years-writing, criticizing, drinking, and debating in the classrooms and barrooms of Iowa City-were the younger versions of writers who became John Irving, Jane Smiley, T. C. Boyle, Michelle Huneven, Allan Gurganus, Sandra Cisneros, Jayne Anne Phillips, Jannie Fields, Joy Harjo, Joe Haldeman, and many others. It is chock full of insights and a treasure trove of inspiration for all writers, readers, history lovers, and anyone who ever "wanted to be a writer." Book jacket.

Contents:

Part 1 To Begin, To Begin 7

Chapter 1 The Creative Enterprise 8

Chapter 2 What Possessed Us? 16

Chapter 3 We Were So Damn Polite 58

Part 2 Community, Craft, and "Learning" Literature 89

Chapter 4 Say Yes! To Everything 90

Chapter 5 Light the Torches! Get the Monster! 147

Chapter 6 The Craft Thing 203

Part 3 Thoughts on Success and Failure 247

Chapter 7 Heartbreak and Mono 248.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

160239735X

9781602397354

OCLC:

320193934

Publisher Number:

99944996036