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 Sandra Cisneros discusses creating her story "Never Marry a Mexican": I remember when I was writing it that I let myself think or say anything that I liked, that I had absolute freedom to say or think the unthinkable.... It really did feel like I was letting loose the bats and monsters and owls and ugly things that were in my psyche with this story. It really was a story that took a lot out of me to write. I felt exhausted. I was writing very, very late and falling asleep with my clothes on. And I had nightmares.... Tobias Wolff discusses "Smorgasbord" and the narrator's use of retrospect: It is one of the great questions in choosing point of view: From what vantage are you going to tell the story? Can you tell it from more than one point of view in time? Can you have multiple levels of time at work? And obviously, the simultaneity of these two different periods in this narrator’s life is part of what makes the story. It does make the story. I don’t think you really have a story without that older narrator. You have an anecdote, but you don’t sense the consequences of these events, and the consequences on his character—which is the reason to tell the story at all.... Allan Gurganus discusses mentors: Cheever said either one of two things about any new story I risked showing him: Yes or No. When he liked something, I felt giddy and fulfilled and godly. When he said No, I had no idea what was wrong with it; therefore I thought something hideous must be wrong with me. He was not a conventional how-to teacher. Early Writings From Favorite Contemporary Authors—including Amy Tan, Michael Crichton, Stephen King, Rita Dove, Norman Mailer—and part of a mystery novel by John Updike, age 14.  Vidal, age 17  King, age 9  Atwood, 20  Mailer, age 10  Godwin, 14-15  Hong, age 16  Updike, 14  Classroom Guide toFirst Words (26 KB) |
 Now available ISBN: 0-89255-312-X $16.95 Paperback Persea Books “This anthology is sure to delight readers of the short story form. Each of the 12 stories featured includes a companion interview ... that offers a richer understanding of the author and the inspiration behind and development of each story. Selected by editor Mandelbaum, the stories are not just examples of good- quality writing but also outstanding use of such fiction- writing elements as character, setting, plot, point of view/ —Library Journal “This is a book that students—and lovers—of the short story form will want to own. Paul Mandelbaum is very good at getting writers to reveal their secrets. As a consequence, I have learned a lot more about stories I thought I knew completely. A marvelous curiosity is at work here, one that digs deep.” —Shannon Ravenel, Series Editor, 1977-1990, Best American Short Stories “12 Short Stories and Their Making is a thrill for serious readers and writers: gorgeous stories and substantial conversation about those stories with the authors themselves.... Utterly unique, informative, and a great read.” —Linda Swanson-Davies, Co-editor, Glimmer Train “Eureka! I have been looking for two things lately: to reignite my excitement about the short story, and to find a concise anthology and discussion of the elements of fiction to use in my writing workshops. The discussions here avoid the usual clichés about writing fiction; they illuminate the possibilities of the craft inspiringly. —Josip Novakovich, Author, April Fool’s Day & the Fiction Writer’s Workshop  First Words Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill ISBN 1-56512-272-0 $16.95 paperback Contents Introduction Margaret Atwood Roy Blunt, Jr. Paul Bowles Pat Conroy Michael Crichton Rita Dove Clyde Edgerton Gail Godwin Allan Gurganus Charles Johnson Stephen King Maxine Hong Kingston Ursula K. Le Guin Madeleine L'Engle Jill McCorkle Norman Mailer Joyce Carol Oates William Styron Amy Tan John Updike Gore Vidal Tobias Wolf Appendix Margin notes Photos 257 pps. "This collection illuminates and charms." —Miami Herald "Pithy and engaging...every submission is of interest, but some are simply hilarious." —Booklist "A fascinating volume ... sometimes amusing, sometimes poignant." —Charlotte Observer "The fun lies...in discovering similarities between these authors' mature works and their kid stuff." —Entertainment Weekly "Recommended for the sheer fun of it." —The Reader's Review A QPB and Writer's Digest book clubs selection. Also recommended by: - Gifted Child Today Magazine - NCTE English Journal - Pennsylvania School Librarians’ Assoc. - Modern Language Notes - L.A. Unified School District Library Services - Library Journal |
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and Their Making
