The Kite and the String: How To Write with Spontaneity and Control—and Live To Tell the Tale

Speaking to memoirists and novelists, Mattison (writing, Bennington Coll.; The Book Borrower) proposes a call to action: that we write, selfishly devoting the time necessary to get the words out of our heads and onto the page. Whether penning a work intended for publication or one that serves as an exercise in voice and narrative, writers are encouraged to think freely and reel in creative impulses with control, like a kite on a string. Mattison addresses the notion of writing as a selfish pursuit and inspires those seriously pursing publication to embrace that selfishness. Unlike other guides on the topic, Mattison's focuses on the process of becoming an author rather than the elements of a genre—finding story, not detailing its pieces. Anecdotes and examples from Mattison's career as a writer, mother, and MFA instructor make this a lively and provocative read.