John Steinbeck on the Art of Writing: Reflections from the East of Eden Diaries
By
Interviewed by Nathaniel Benchley
Summary
A posthumously compiled interview with John Steinbeck for The Paris Review's "Art of Fiction" series, drawn primarily from his East of Eden diaries (published as Journey of a Novel). The piece collects Steinbeck's reflections on writing as a deeply personal, secretive function, his views on criticism, discipline, and the creative process. It offers intimate insight into the mind of one of America's greatest novelists through his own words and correspondence.
Source
Twitter / XJohn Steinbeck on the Art of Writing: Reflections from the East of Eden Diariestheparisreview.orgKey quotes
· 3 pulledWriting to me is a deeply personal, even a secret function and when the product I turned loose it is cut off from me and I have no sense of its being mine. Consequently criticism doesn't mean anything to me. As a disciplinary matter, it is too late.
I think I am a born writer. I have been writing since I was a child. I have never wanted to do anything else.
The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.
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