Presents two letters to a young writer, modeled on the influential "Letters to a Young Poet" by Rainer Maria Rilke. Notes the first letter situates itself when a young writer first turns toward poetry; and the second addresses the relationship between mentorship and the imagination, questioning the right of any writer to presume to guide the…

Presents an interview with poet and novelist Fanny Howe. Discusses the nature of titles, the peripatetic poem, and the "perilous point" from which her favorite authors write. (RS)

Argues that, in understanding creativity and the process of composing, it is helpful to think in terms of the metaphysical concept and while polar opposites appear to be contradictory, they are part of the same whole. Suggests some polarities that help in understanding the creative process in writing. (TJ)

Uses concepts of creativity, transformative learning, imagination, and dialog to explore hidden patterns affecting the inability to write. Describes the use of reflection and imagery to make meaning of experience and unblock writing processes. (SK)

This book records the author's creative processes as she wrote the book, presenting a personal journey where all artists will recognize aspects of themselves. The first (and most extensive) part of the book (entitled "Elements of Creativity") reveals universal elements of creativity that mirror the ancient elements in nature:…

The winner of the 1986 Boston Globe-Horn Book award for nonfiction discusses her work. (FL)

Presents an interview with Colson Whitehead. Discusses his approach to writing a novel. Considers several of his novels and his experiences writing them. (SG)

Argues that the possibility for surprise is the starting point for both effective writers and teachers and describes six elements that help create surprise: expectation, habit, ease, recognition, "pounceability," and acceptance. (MM)

Argues that the word "creativity" can inhibit students from writing because they feel what they write must be completely new and original. Offers suggestions for helping alleviate writing apprehension such as stream of consciousness writing or free writing. (SRT)

The fiction writer uses language to create the illusion of reality. A work of fiction is an illusion of life in which characters attempt to transform basic reality by casting their desires and views upon it, thus creating internal conflict between elements of the real and the unreal. Characters must sort out through experiences that enable them to…

The inhibiting effect of being conscious of the physical process of writing on the intuitive process of writing is discussed. (HTH)

What pushes a writer over the edge of thought into text production--over what may be called "the writing threshold?" This is the moment when the thoughts in a writer's mind, the writing situation, and personal motivations create a momentum that results in a pattern of written words. There is evidence that not everyone crosses the writing…

Assumptions that writers of books about creative writing make about their audiences, as well as assumptions about the purposes, practice, and value of writing, differ noticeably from the assumptions made by people who teach and write about composition. In substance and form, the range of creative writing books includes autobiography, interviews,…

Prewriting involves the entire period of time (and necessary activities) which extends between knowing that one is going to write on something and knowing that one has found something specific and substantial to say about it. In classical rhetoric, prewriting is expressed by such terms as "inventio" (whereby the writer discovers ideas to…

In order to explore new ways of talking to and with composition students, an instructor might ask whether visual artists can teach college writing instructors about the composing process and, whether, by stepping outside the discipline, insights can be gained for more effective teaching of first-year writing students. For one instructor,…