The Value of Unconventional Writing Advice: Lucy Ives' "three six five" and the Tradition of Creative Guides
By
David O’Neill
1d ago· 12 min readenInsight
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Summary
This article explores the tradition of unconventional and esoteric writing advice, using Lucy Ives' new collection "three six five" as a springboard. It examines how quirky creativity guides—from Lydia Davis' "work on your character" to Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird" and Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way"—offer surprisingly effective wisdom. The piece argues that the best writing advice often comes in strange, indirect forms that challenge conventional thinking and push writers to develop their craft through unusual exercises and perspectives.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledIn 'Thirty Recommendations for Good Writing Habits,' an essay published in 2013, the writer and translator Lydia Davis offers a cardinal rule: 'work on your character.'
This is advice that feels like a dare, if not a rebuke: your writing will become interesting only
the venerable tradition of goofy and esoteric creativity guides including Anne Lamott's 'Bird by Bird' and Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way'
David O’Neill on “three six five,” a new collection of writing exercises by the writer Lucy Ives, and the venerable tradition of goofy and esoteric creativity guides including Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird” and Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way.”
