Steering the craft

One of the great writers of the twentieth century offers an exhilarating workout for writers of narrative fiction or nonfiction.

With her sharp mind and wit and a delightful sense of playfulness, Le Guin has turned a successful workshop into a self-guided voyage of discovery for a writer working alone, a writing group, or a class. Steering the Craft is concerned with the basic elements of narrative: how a story is told, what moves it and what clogs it. This book does not plod through plot, character, beginning-middle-and-end. Nor does it discuss writing as self-expression, as therapy, or as spiritual adventure.

Each topic includes examples that clarify and exercises that intensify awareness of the techniques of storytelling.