Rating: 
Summary: solid, motiving advice
Review: Because Making a Literary Life seems best suited for beginning writers, I plan to assign it to undergraduate fiction writers next semester. While 1000 words a day and a note to an author is too much to require of college students trying their hand at writing, Carolyn See shows that writing is both fun and demanding.In teaching with this book, I'll downplay the last section, which is about publishing and more like a volume two than a final section. But I'll emphasize the first section as a way to begin thinking, reading, and writing as a creative writer, something that beginners often think they understand until they practice and revise and realize writerliness isn't exactly what they expected. And, of course, I'll work through the second, nuts-and-bolts section that covers such crucial concepts as plot, character, point of view, and revision. Along the way, See reveals her own successful tendencies as well as the pitfalls her students often fall into. Making a Literary Life is blunt, opinionated, and enthusiastic about writing, writing, writing. For writers who know the basics, there are certainly some new ways of approaching what we do. But this book should provide the energy and practicality that young or unpracticed writers need. The first-time fiction writer might want to supplement See's book with texts that offer exercises to generate material and with participation in a writing group to foster revision. And, of course, if a fiction writer doesn't read fiction as a writer, he or she will probably not internalize much of See's best advice.
Rating: 
Summary: This one is about YOUR writing life.....
Review: Carolyn See writes "Making a Literary Life" directly from her heart. Naturally, then, it is angled from her particular point of view and has suggestions some of the other reviewers might find a bit unattractive - and what I read in her words was this: Create your life as a writer who is fully herself. If that "fully herself" means writing personal notes - so be it. (I think this is something which sets a writer apart. I know as a publisher and editor who occasionally receives hand written notes.... They stand out from the onslaught of form letters, hastily scribed emails, etc.) What is YOUR "fully yourself" action or practice which makes YOU are writer and forms YOUR literary life? See glides through her examples with heartfulness, with truth, with integrity and with a wry sense of humor which helps you to say "Thank goodness she is human, and just like me... and survived being obsessed with the written word." My favorite words in this entire book are these: "We live in a beautiful, sentient universe that yearns for you to tell the truth about it. If you love this world and this craft, they will lift you to a place you can't begin to imagine." The writers who "get" those words will enjoy this work. Those writers who don't understand those words might be disappointed upon reading this book. My heart-hope is you will both believe those words and live those words as you create your literary life.
Rating:
Summary: This one is about YOUR writing life.....
Review: Carolyn See writes "Making a Literary Life" directly from her heart. Naturally, then, it is angled from her particular point of view and has suggestions some of the other reviewers might find a bit unattractive - and what I read in her words was this: Create your life as a writer who is fully herself. If that "fully herself" means writing personal notes - so be it. (I think this is something which sets a writer apart. I know as a publisher and editor who occasionally receives hand written notes.... They stand out from the onslaught of form letters, hastily scribed emails, etc.) What is YOUR "fully yourself" action or practice which makes YOU are writer and forms YOUR literary life? See glides through her examples with heartfulness, with truth, with integrity and with a wry sense of humor which helps you to say "Thank goodness she is human, and just like me... and survived being obsessed with the written word." My favorite words in this entire book are these: "We live in a beautiful, sentient universe that yearns for you to tell the truth about it. If you love this world and this craft, they will lift you to a place you can't begin to imagine." The writers who "get" those words will enjoy this work. Those writers who don't understand those words might be disappointed upon reading this book. My heart-hope is you will both believe those words and live those words as you create your literary life.
Rating: 
Summary: See is Overly Negative and Perpetually Whiny
Review: Carolyn See's "Making a Literary Life" is just that. You will learn how to live like a writer, but her advice is putting the cart before the horse. The bulk of her discussion is hardly relevant unless you are regularly writing at this moment and have enough talent so that you have a decent chance at being published. A mere 60 pages out of about 250 in her paperback edition are devoted to writing advice. (If you are just beginning, see Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird" which is significantly better and contains solid writing advice.) To her credit, See writes in a casual tone that is easy to read. Her prose "flows," but she gets too comfortable at times. She cusses like a sailor, and while she can be humorous, she often falls into a deep abyss of negativity about what it means to be a writer. Toward the end, I found myself wondering "Why bother be a writer at all?" If we wanted to know the catalogue of bad things that can happen to a writer, would we really pay See money to hear about them? Probably not. Some of the chapters here are valuable, and See occasionally gives decent advice, but it could all be condensed into 50 pages. The final third of the book is most redundant. She devotes a chapter to "The First Trip to New York" and how a publisher would rather not throw you a party upon publication. Huh? Most people who read this book have not been published yet! Yet another chapter is devoted to how a published book has a mere 3 months to sit on bookstore shelves and how even the best writers on the planet can sell a mere 10 books a week. Instead of inspiring, Carolyn See does the opposite.
Rating:
Summary: Unique Voice & Style Make This Book a Joy to Read
Review: Carolyn See, novelist, memoirist, teacher, and book reviewer for the Washington Post, has written a wonderful volume about writing well while striving to live a literary life. Starting with a person's first glimmer of an idea about wanting to write, and then carrying on through the whole process of writing, revising, and publishing, See shares her advice and often laugh-out-loud observations. For instance, writing about revising, she says: "Revision is when you first get to recognize the distance between what you wanted to write, what you thought were were writing, and what you actually did write. That recognition often makes you want to throw up" (p. 177). I loved this book! Carolyn See does a marvelous job describing the pitfalls and peaks of making a literary life while at the same time telling the reader about her own process and experiences-sometimes as guides to follow and other times as cautionary tales. Her sage take on things coupled with a unique voice and style make this book a joy to read. Whether you are already a writer or merely contemplating a literary life, this lively, touching, and entertaining book will speak to you. Highly recommended. ~Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review
Rating:
Summary: An Inpiring Guide for Aspiring Writers.
Review: Carolyn See-author of nine books, book reviewer, and UCLA English teacher-has written a practical and entertaining book for the aspiring writer. Direct advice such as "one thousand words a day five days a week for the rest of your life" jumpstart the book. She also offers advice that may seem offbeat (e.g., write thank-you notes for every rejection received). "In that first hour of rejection, when your liver is exploding and your spleen is on fire, you grope your way through the house to where you keep your `charming note' stationery . . .write him or her a charming note."
"Making A Literary Life" delivers the facts of becoming a writer in a lucid manner, but also honestly and with quick wit. Any romantic notions you may have about writing are stripped away. See says, "Literary life is a marriage, not a romance." There are no shortcuts mentioned here; one must work diligently and persist. This book lays the groundwork, but the author reminds that to build powerful words, sentences, and paragraphs is work-at times excruciating and joyless.
Besides meticulously covering the foundations of good writing-character, plot, point of view and so on-she also discusses the often-neglected time just before and after publication. "After you write a book, you must sell it. The three months before and after publication are just as important as the years you spend writing."
"Making A Literary Life" is an inspiration for writers and anyone shy about following their passion. "I was thirty-two, had two kids and my Ph.D., was coming up on my second divorce, and had already written my first unpublished novel before I got the beginning of a clue." See is a personal mentor proffering clues to facilitate a literary life; most importantly she empowers the writer to believe publication is plausible
Rating:
Summary: A most excellent book for the aspiring writer
Review: Do you want to learn how to 'court' an editor? Want to learn how to get with the 'IN' crowd within the literary world? Then this book is for you. Writers, take note. This is another weapon/treasure to keep in your writing world's arsenal. The upbeat note that it inflicts upon the reader/writer will not be soon forgotten. I'm still impressed with the way Carolyn See dishes out the information in this book. Not only does she give incredibly comedic, heroic and downright interesting information, but she follows most of these up with examples from her own life. You can get to know your target editors by getting to know your target editors. Sound simple and redundant? It ain't. Amazingly, most of the things you'll need to succeed aren't necessarily in your desk or a computer file. They're in your head and your heart. And Carolyn See shows us how to tap into both areas. Like 'Bird By Bird' (by Anne Lamott), this book has earned a special place on my bookshelves. A+ rating in my book!
Rating:
Summary: See the Writing Life Through Expert Eyes
Review: In Making a Literary Life, Carolyn See tells us about the reality of living a writer's life. As she says, "How I wish this were a made-up story. But it's not." Distilled from years of teaching at UCLA, her writing instruction is practical and yields proven results. Her information on rewriting is priceless. The inside view of the publishing industry is something I've looked for in writing books and couldn't find until now. I consider this a highly readable manual for success, and her work is proof that See effectively uses what she teaches. Whine though some will, she's right on target about charming notes, too. It's wrapped in positive attitude along with encouragement to have fun and enjoy the journey. Buy it and improve your writing and your life.
Rating:
Summary: See the Writing Life Through Expert Eyes
Review: In Making a Literary Life, Carolyn See tells us about the reality of living a writer's life. As she says, "How I wish this were a made-up story. But it's not." Distilled from years of teaching at UCLA, her writing instruction is practical and yields proven results. Her information on rewriting is priceless. The inside view of the publishing industry is something I've looked for in writing books and couldn't find until now. I consider this a highly readable manual for success, and her work is proof that See effectively uses what she teaches. Whine though some will, she's right on target about charming notes, too. It's wrapped in positive attitude along with encouragement to have fun and enjoy the journey. Buy it and improve your writing and your life.
Rating:
Summary: Sit at the feet of a great teacher
Review: Making a Literary Life makes you feel as though you're sitting in, incognito, on one of See's classes at UCLA, where she does, in fact, teach English. While mostly a collection of anecdotes, peppered throughout is advice on how to actually apply butt to chair, the first and most important step to becoming a writer. There are also sections on character, plot, and point of view, but this is not a formulaic approach to the craft of writing. She uses wit, hilarity, wisdom, experience, and compassion to provide writing insights to writers, wannabes, and ordinary readers who appreciate a well written book by a master of her craft.
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