Elizabeth McCracken's A Long Game is a breath of fresh air in the world of craft books and writing manuals. The novelist, memoirist, and former Iowa Writers' Workshop tutor has come late to the party, but with a vengeance that will undoubtedly cause some readers to spit out their coffee or spill their cocktail. Her opening line, "Nobody knows how to write a book," sets the tone for a candid and unapologetic exploration of the writing process.
What's striking about McCracken's approach is her willingness to buck the conventional wisdom that has dominated creative writing workshops for decades. Gone are the days of chipper, cheerleaderish encouragement and self-help platitudes like "Show, don't tell" or "Write what you know." Instead, McCracken delivers a dose of reality that will no doubt alienate some readers who have grown accustomed to this type of advice.
For McCracken, writing is not about following a set of rules or compiling a list of dos and don'ts. It's about embracing the messy, often painful process of creation, where the writer must navigate their own insecurities, biases, and limitations. In other words, it's about being honest with oneself and the art form.
One of the most refreshing aspects of A Long Game is McCracken's refusal to offer easy answers or solutions. She knows that writing every day, for example, can be a recipe for burnout if not approached with self-awareness and discipline. Instead, she reveals her own approach, which involves harnessing the power of self-loathing to fuel her productivity.
MCCracken's unflinching candor will undoubtedly resonate with writers who have grown tired of the usual workshop platitudes and are ready for a more authentic, less sanitized conversation about the writing process. For those who need a dose of reality, A Long Game is an antidote that may cause some discomfort, but ultimately, it will free them from the constraints of conventional wisdom.
Ultimately, McCracken's A Long Game is not just a craft book or a manual for writers; it's a clarion call to approach writing with authenticity, vulnerability, and a willingness to take risks. It's an invitation to reexamine our assumptions about the creative process and to embrace the messy, often exhilarating experience of bringing a story to life.
What's striking about McCracken's approach is her willingness to buck the conventional wisdom that has dominated creative writing workshops for decades. Gone are the days of chipper, cheerleaderish encouragement and self-help platitudes like "Show, don't tell" or "Write what you know." Instead, McCracken delivers a dose of reality that will no doubt alienate some readers who have grown accustomed to this type of advice.
For McCracken, writing is not about following a set of rules or compiling a list of dos and don'ts. It's about embracing the messy, often painful process of creation, where the writer must navigate their own insecurities, biases, and limitations. In other words, it's about being honest with oneself and the art form.
One of the most refreshing aspects of A Long Game is McCracken's refusal to offer easy answers or solutions. She knows that writing every day, for example, can be a recipe for burnout if not approached with self-awareness and discipline. Instead, she reveals her own approach, which involves harnessing the power of self-loathing to fuel her productivity.
MCCracken's unflinching candor will undoubtedly resonate with writers who have grown tired of the usual workshop platitudes and are ready for a more authentic, less sanitized conversation about the writing process. For those who need a dose of reality, A Long Game is an antidote that may cause some discomfort, but ultimately, it will free them from the constraints of conventional wisdom.
Ultimately, McCracken's A Long Game is not just a craft book or a manual for writers; it's a clarion call to approach writing with authenticity, vulnerability, and a willingness to take risks. It's an invitation to reexamine our assumptions about the creative process and to embrace the messy, often exhilarating experience of bringing a story to life.
! It's like she's speaking straight to my soul 
. I mean, who needs all that cheesy "show, don't tell" advice when you can just be real and messy about it? 
Her approach is so refreshing, it's like a breath of fresh air 
. And I love how she's not afraid to get uncomfortable and share her own struggles 
. It's like she's saying, "Hey, I'm human too, and writing is hard 
." Let's just give it up for Elizabeth McCracken - she's a genius 
! 
She's speaking straight from her own experiences and honestly, it's so refreshing not to get the usual fluffy advice on writing. We all need someone to tell us that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to creating something beautiful. Her honesty might be uncomfortable at times, but I think that's what makes it so valuable. It's like she's saying, "Hey, we're all in this together, and we're gonna make some mistakes." 
. She's like, totally honest about the struggles of writin and the BS that happens in workshps 
. And her approach to harnessin self-loathin to fuel productivity is like, genius 
! Its def a must-read for any writer who's tired of the usual encouragement 
.
So what do you think about this new book by Elizabeth McCracken? I mean, it sounds like she's really breaking free from all the typical writing advice that we've been fed for years 
Do you feel like most writers are too scared to share their true thoughts on how to write? 
Or do you think they're just afraid of offending people? 
. But at the same time, I can see why some readers might be put off by her honesty 
. What do you guys really want from a writing book? Do we just want some feel-good tips and tricks or is there more to it than that? 
. McCracken's willingness to speak the unvarnished truth about writing is refreshing, but it may not be for everyone. Writing is a journey, not a destination 
. Sometimes, we need to get lost in the process to find our way 
.
anyway, if you're a writer or even just wanna be one, u need to check this out 
. Anyway, I think this book is going to change the way I approach writing forever 
. I love how she's not afraid to get real about the struggles of writing and the importance of embracing those insecurities 
.
️. We need more writers like McCracken who are willing to take risks and push boundaries 
. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good dose of self-loathing as motivation? 
But seriously, I think this book is a game-changer for writers who are tired of the same old workshop advice. Let's face it, it can get stale after a while 
. So yeah, I'm giving A Long Game two thumbs up! 
yeah, I think I do that too when I'm writing. The best part is she's not trying to sugarcoat anything, she just tells it like it is. Not everyone's gonna like her approach, but for me, that's what makes it so refreshing 
. I mean, "embracing the messy, often painful process of creation"? That's not exactly revolutionary, folks! Every writer knows that writing is hard work and it takes a toll on you. But hey, if McCracken can bring some authenticity to the table, that's cool, I guess 
i love how she's not afraid to share her own struggles and imperfections it's like she's saying "hey, we're all in this together" 
. Like, who needs that?! Elizabeth McCracken's A Long Game is the real deal - it's like she's speaking straight to my soul... or maybe just straight to the part of me that's been quietly screaming for someone to tell the truth about writing 
.