Getting reviewed is harder to take than I had expected, which is funny for me to say because after college, I was a book reviewer, and then a theatre critic for seven years with Daily Variety. My goal as a critic was to celebrate great writing when it came around, and to encourage other writers even if something didn’t work entirely. I would express what was weak, but I never wanted to deplete the will of a writer. I’ve since learned, it’s far easier to be a reviewer than a reviewee.
Months and Seasons has received almost all great reviews so far, which is pleasing. Tony O’Brien, a critic in New Zealand, said mostly great things, but he didn’t like all my similes and metaphors, some of which he found far out. I happen to think my comparisons can be funny — not as out there as Tom Robbins (Even Cowgirls Get the Blues) can be but along the lines of what Lorrie Moore can do. It’s hard seeing someone not “get” what I’m doing.
Then again, in a recent graduate class of mine, someone brought up The Great Gatsby, which is as near to perfection as a novel can be. Many of the students loved the book, and two hated it. If we can’t agree on The Great Gatsby, who am I to expect every critic to love my stories? Still, I get anxiety knowing reviews are in front of the public.
As a writer, what scares you the most?
That’s a good question. Plenty of writers get scared, which is why there’s writer’s block. I allow myself to write a quick fun first draft. I suppose what scares me is what I’ve seen with some other writers. Their ego gets so big, they’re not able to see what they’re publishing is weak. That’s why I have a good editor, who I hire. She’s able to keep egg off my face.
I worry that as I age, I might not have the stamina to keep up the pace I’m doing, which is writing a book a year while I’m teaching a lot. I teach creative writing among five colleges — not all at once, certainly. My hope is that as my writing brings in more money, I can teach less and write more. My fear is that might not happen.
Do you have an agent? How was your experience in searching for one?
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