When I spoke to Jane Smiley, author of Some Luck, she suggested that novelists’ ideas—their political, philosophical, experiential concerns—frequently motivate the writing of great books. But then a ...

When we think about relationships, we tend to think about our connections with others—our partners, friends, family members, and co-workers. This post focuses on a relationship that often gets ...

We’re total suckers for self improvement: The self-help industry brings in billions of dollars each year from countless books. All that encouraging advice can feel empowering and commonsensical, ...

An invitation came by email to contribute to a teaching volume. A brief piece, only a few hundred words long, was needed. Describe a favorite teaching exercise from your literature classes. The word ...

Exercise acts as an extra twist to open the tap of creativity.

Just the name Ernest Hemingway conjures up ideas about some of the best and most succinct writing of all time. But you can't compare yourself to legends. These pillars of writing are people just like ...