THE VERY BEST WRITING advice I’ve ever received came from one of the very best living American writers. I am a great believer in asking an expert, particularly when the stakes are as high as what I do for a living.
Many years ago, I cornered the great William Kennedy in a bar. We knew each other at the time, though not well, and while I had already published a major piece in The New York Times Magazine, as well as a book that expanded that piece, and had written for some similarly fine publications, I knew only one thing for certain about writing: I had a lot to learn. Still do, by the way.
So I asked the man who had won the Pulitzer and the MacArthur genius grant, and had written some of my favorite pieces of fiction if he thought a writing class might suit me. Or an MFA? Maybe a month at Yaddo or Breadloaf or The Millay Colony? I pretty much pelted him with questions. A little overwrought, at the time I was struggling mightily with a book. His answer was the very best writing advice I’ve ever gotten.
“Read the interviews in the Paris Review,” he said. Plain and simple. He was right.
Printed quarterly, the Paris Review, now 60 years old, is simply the very best education a writer, a reader, and thinker can get. And while I’ve been reading it now for 25 years, I recently put myself on a daily diet of the interviews, reading part of one each morning for 30 minutes. Why? Why not? Some people meditate. Some chant. Me, I read the Paris Review interviews. Last week this method brought me the great Ha Jin, Ray Bradbury and Ann Beattie. The week before brought me Ann Beattie, Janet Malcolm and John McFee. Fiction. Non-fiction. Memoir. It does not matter since every one of these writers provides long, illustrative answers to how to write.
Which brings me to this morning’s reading. A 2009 interview from Mary Karr. The topic? Memoir. And due to the absolute largesse of the Paris Review you can read it here.
When you are done with that, go see what Ernest Hemingway had to say about writing. That’s right. The interviews begin in the 1950s and are sorted by decade over the magazine’s sixty year history. Printed four times a year, sometimes with two interviews per magazine, you will run into the likes of Lillian Hellman, Truman Capote, T.S. Eliot, Maya Angelou, among dozens of others. Oh yeah, and don’t miss the incomparable William Kennedy. Get going. You’ve got some reading to do. And while you’re at it, pass along the very best writing advice you’ve ever been given. Enjoy.
Katrina Kenison says
Oh my goodness, such synchronicity! I subscribed to the Paris Review for nearly twenty years, and then let it lapse. Just a few days ago, I went back to the Review on-line and read every word ever written in its pages about James Salter, my all time favorite writer. And then I thought, why have I allowed myself to miss this treasure trove? So, I re-subscribed and made the same commitment you did: to read all the interviews. So glad to be on the path with you Marion. Quite a rich journey, eh?
marion says
James Salter. Swoon doggie swoon. That’s my response to any and all James Salter, including that recent perfect story of his leading off the recent Paris Review. He will be here in Albany on April 4 at the New York State Writers Institute. http://www.albany.edu/writers-inst/webpages4/archives/salter_james13.html I’ll be the redhead in the front row. And you? Can you come down for it? I’ll save you a seat.
Judith says
Marion – Thanks so much for the heads up on The Paris Review. Powerful interview with Mary Karr. I wrote down one of her quotes awhile back about writing memoir that really connected with me. She said, ” I write to dream; to connect with other human beings; to record; to clarify; to visit the dead. I have a kind of primitive need to leave a mark on the world.” – Judith
Martha Brettschneider says
Thanks so much for this recommendation, Marion!
Since I’m in the midst of raising teenagers, I don’t have much space in my life for writing programs or retreats. I can, however, carve out a little time to read the Paris Review per your suggestion. Thanks, as always, for sharing your wisdom!
Shirley Hershey Showalter says
I loved the interview with Mary Karr when I first found it online also. Now I have a new idea for daily inspiration. Thanks!
Shannon says
What a great tip about The Paris Review. I have never heard a writing tip like that one before. I will definitely add the Reviews to my daily disciplines. – Shannon
Jelane Kennedy says
Thank you!!
Elizabeth Racicot says
What a great idea about reading the interviews for thirty minutes every day. Love it. Thank you.
Nancy Sharp says
Thank you for this post. What a gift you’ve offered us Marion.