THE WRITING LIFE: Annie Dillard.

I have had a hard time recently finding books on writing that are neither lit theory (although I do enjoy a bit of that, too) nor how-tos. Annie Dillard finally delivered.

The book is full of witty and touching vignettes, most of which that will resonate with anyone and everyone who has ever tried their damnedest to write.

Why not shoot yourself, actually, rather than finish one more excellent manuscript on which to gag the world?

And who, who has ever attempted to write, has never had that exact thought? But Ms. Dillard leaves out the part where the aspiring writer thinks immediately afterward, “… But let me scribble something down first so that the world will know the genius it lost, and I will be Hemingway!” (Don’t even play like you never thought that.)

I encountered this book in the same way that I encountered the rest of the mountain of books I’ve acquired over the last month or so. I went into work with Bobby and spent the day prowling through bookstores: Borders as well as a couple of cute used bookstores. (I really should put up a post about the ridiculously large purchase I made at Second-Story Books.) At Borders, I picked up this book early in the morning and began it immediately.

I read Dillard’s book in various locations throughout the city. By the time Bobby and Heather found me for lunch, I had already read half the book, which, let’s face it, is always exciting no matter how tiny the book. I was very excited and wanted very much to talk writing, but Heather is not a writer. Otherwise, I would have forced Bobby to listen to my ramblings… I certainly listen to enough of his ramblings on pro-wrestling.

I finished the book before Bobby got off work that afternoon, and it was exactly what I needed. No doubt, it is equally engrossing for people who are simply interested in literature. A wonderful, quick read full of the magic of Annie Dillard, and entirely worth the time.