walking with Annie Dillard...

Chapter One
When you write, you lay out a line of wards. The line of words is a miner's pick, a woodcarver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it, and it, digs a path you, follow. Soon you find yourself deep in new territory: Is it a dead end, or have you located the real subject? You will know tomorrow, or this time next year.
Excerpt from "The writing life"

Some people criticized the book, saying it was not a "Guide-book" and it was of no practical use for writers, but that was not the purpose of it...it's a short collection of Dillard's observations on writing and some other stuff...and anyway where could we find recipes to become an artist of any kind? a good job there aren't any...I'm not very sure about writing schools...you learn how to write but not really how to become a good writer...
Let's face the truth, to become an artist you need a gift...if you aren't particularly clever you may though make many interesting things and quite enjoy yourself ...for instance, start a blog and call it...er...Plumpiemousie...!!!you won't become an artist but you'll be ever so happy, that's the main piont isn't it?!...