Elizabeth McCracken's A Long Game is a refreshingly subversive take on the traditional craft book. The author, a novelist and memoirist who has taught at the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop, sets out to shake off the notion that writing can be reduced to a set of rules and formulas. In fact, she appears to revel in the messy, unpredictable nature of creative expression.
McCracken's approach is unapologetically provocative, often incorporating elements of self-deprecation and irreverence that are guaranteed to ruffle feathers among writers who prefer more conventional advice. Her epigrammatic style, which frequently employs a cheeky tone, can be seen as both refreshing and alienating – like encountering the witty, older sibling who doesn't quite play by the rules.
At its core, A Long Game is an unflinching rejection of the clichéd workshops wisdom that has dominated creative writing pedagogy for decades. McCracken rejects the "show, don't tell" mantra and instead advocates for embracing one's own unique voice and perspective. Her advice on tackling writer's block? Harnessing the power of self-loathing to fuel your creativity – a notion that may inspire some writers to re-examine their approach.
While some readers may find McCracken's forthright attitude disconcerting, it's clear that this book is designed to jolt writers out of their complacency and stimulate them into producing work that truly reflects their individual visions. A Long Game is an unapologetically personal, uncompromising guide to the writing process – one that will resonate with those who crave authenticity and originality in their creative endeavors.
Ultimately, McCracken's book offers a liberating alternative to the oft-repeated workshop platitudes that have come to dominate the literary landscape. By embracing her own idiosyncrasies and refusing to conform to conventional wisdom, she reminds us that writing is an uncharted territory – one that requires courage, experimentation, and above all, a willingness to take risks.
McCracken's approach is unapologetically provocative, often incorporating elements of self-deprecation and irreverence that are guaranteed to ruffle feathers among writers who prefer more conventional advice. Her epigrammatic style, which frequently employs a cheeky tone, can be seen as both refreshing and alienating – like encountering the witty, older sibling who doesn't quite play by the rules.
At its core, A Long Game is an unflinching rejection of the clichéd workshops wisdom that has dominated creative writing pedagogy for decades. McCracken rejects the "show, don't tell" mantra and instead advocates for embracing one's own unique voice and perspective. Her advice on tackling writer's block? Harnessing the power of self-loathing to fuel your creativity – a notion that may inspire some writers to re-examine their approach.
While some readers may find McCracken's forthright attitude disconcerting, it's clear that this book is designed to jolt writers out of their complacency and stimulate them into producing work that truly reflects their individual visions. A Long Game is an unapologetically personal, uncompromising guide to the writing process – one that will resonate with those who crave authenticity and originality in their creative endeavors.
Ultimately, McCracken's book offers a liberating alternative to the oft-repeated workshop platitudes that have come to dominate the literary landscape. By embracing her own idiosyncrasies and refusing to conform to conventional wisdom, she reminds us that writing is an uncharted territory – one that requires courage, experimentation, and above all, a willingness to take risks.
I love how refreshing it is to see someone like Elizabeth McCracken challenging the traditional writing advice we've been fed for years. Her approach feels so much more authentic and raw - I mean, who hasn't felt that self-loathing urge when writer's block hits? 
It's great that she's not afraid to get a little messy and irreverent in her book. The whole 'embrace your unique voice' vibe is so liberating - I think it'll really resonate with writers who feel like they're stuck in a rut. And you know what? I'm a bit intimidated by how honest and unapologetic she is, but in the best way possible! 
! As someone who's been around the block with writing, it's refreshing to see someone call out the traditional craft book BS 
. McCracken's got attitude and she's not afraid to ruffle some feathers 
. I love how she rejects that "show, don't tell" nonsense and instead encourages writers to find their own unique voice 
. And her advice on tackling writer's block? Self-loathing as a creative spark? That's some next-level stuff 
! It's like she's saying, "Hey, writing is messy, so deal with it 
. This book is for anyone who wants to shake off the conventional writing wisdom and take risks in their craft 
. Total game-changer for writers! 
. I mean who wants to follow rules and formulas when you're just trying to create something real? 
I'm with Elizabeth on this one, embracing your unique voice and perspective is key. The idea of harnessing self-loathing to fuel creativity sounds a bit dark but I guess that's what makes it refreshing? 
What do you think about books that are like this, shake things up or just stick to the traditional approach 
! it's so refreshing to see someone tackling the whole "writing should be formulaic" thing head-on 
and instead saying that creativity is messy and unpredictable. like, isn't that what makes writing so amazing in the first place? 
? anyway, i think mccracken's approach is genius – embracing self-loathing as a catalyst for creativity is honestly kinda profound 
. it's time we started valuing individuality over cookie-cutter advice 
she's like the ultimate rebel writer who's not afraid to throw out all those traditional writing rules and formulas... I mean I totally get it, sometimes that can be super stifling and make you wanna scream 
which is what writing is all about, right? being true to yourself and taking risks. I love it 
The fact that this book can be both refreshing and alienating at the same time just shows how bold and unapologetic McCracken is - I am HERE. FOR. IT!!! 
. Her idea of harnessing self-loathing as a creative force? Genius! I've been there, done that, and got the t-shirt (which isn't very pretty, btw) 
. It's like she's saying, "Hey, writers, let's ditch the rules and just write from the heart!" 
.
. But trust me, it's all worth it in the end. McCracken's book is like a kick in the pants – necessary and uncomfortable, but ultimately liberating 
. I mean, who needs "rules" for writing when you can just let your unique voice shine through? It's like she's saying, "Forget what everyone else is telling you - write from the heart and don't care about what others think!" 
Who needs that when you can just tell the story in a way that feels true to you? 
. i mean, self-loathing as a creativity booster? yeah right 
. and don't even get me started on the 'show, don't tell' thing... how about just writing what feels true to you, without trying to conform to some arbitrary set of rules? that's the key to good writing, imo 
. I love how she rejects those boring "show, don't tell" clichés and instead advocates for embracing your own unique voice and perspective 
. And let's be real, we've all been there at some point - it's time someone told us to take a chance and trust our own creativity