Description
Book SynopsisOffers an open invitation for all writers to create something new. Each chapter features a pair of essays-in-dialogue between two working artists, Sharon Fagan McDermott and M.C. Benner Dixon, which addresses a specific writing element such as metaphor, inspiration, place, surprise, or imagery.
Trade Review“During my decades of teaching creative writing, I’ve often longed for a book like this—not a dull craft book, a how-to book that turns writing into a math problem, but a lively invitation into the magic and wonder of it, as well as the frustrations and self doubts. The warmth and humanity of these writers comes through every page as they welcome us into their writing lives. The collaborative nature of this work, with separate essays by both authors, offers a fresh, unique perspective—there is not just one way to write. This book provides comfort in that knowledge, allowing readers the flexibility to explore, to chart their own paths. These two honest, intimate, and at times vulnerable voices offer constant assurance—even in the writing prompts!”
—Jim Daniels, Thomas Stockham Baker University Professor of English Emeritus, Carnegie Mellon University
“In clear radiant prose, McDermott and Dixon create a dialogue about the role that art, nature, family and friendship have played in their respective writing practices. They courageously discuss elusive concepts such as inspiration and transcendence, as well as sharing their skepticism about beauty, but these skilled wordsmiths always bring our attention back to the practical business of writing and revision. Each chapter includes inspiration-prompts to nudge us forward in our own attempts to write and explore.
Millions of Suns is much more than a guide to writing, although it does a credible job at that task; it is a gift that inspires us to find grace in the world and forgiveness for ourselves.”—Michael Simms, author of
The Talon Trilogy“This book is just what I’ve been looking for! Filled with essays that dive into writing craft and the writerly life, with fresh and unique prompts, this book offers real encouragement and wisdom. I’ll be assigning it to the MFA students I teach and recommending it to friends. I needed an updated, contemporary, inspirational, and honest book—and, in particular, was looking for one that spoke to environmental and social justice. This book fits the bill.”—Laura Pritchett, Director of the MFA in Nature Writing at Western Colorado University, PEN-USA award winning author
Table of Contents
- An Introduction to Millions of Suns
- 1. MEMORY
- Taking Flight: On Memory
- Everything I Can’t Remember
- Memory Prompts
- 2. IMAGERY
- The Clouds at Bearfence
- Fresh Firecoal Chestnuts, Finches Wings
- Imagery Prompts
- 3. SURPRISE
- Surprise!
- Now Narrowly We Knew Her
- Surprise Prompts
- 4. INSPIRATION
- Wild Dogs and Pittsburgh Sunrise: When Inspiration Calls
- Find a Door: Entering the Writing House
- Inspiration Prompts
- 5. METAPHOR
- A Question about Metaphor
- What my Metaphors Say
- Metaphor Prompts
- 6. PLACE
- When I Say Here
- To Reach the Moon: On Place
- Place Prompts
- 7. READING
- When a Child Meets her Words
- Confessions of an Acolyte: Regarding Jealousy and Ambition
- Reading Prompts
- 8. STRUCTURE
- White Space: The Fullness in Emptiness
- The Thing of It: Prose as Physical Object
- Structure Prompts
- 9. THE PRESENT MOMENT
- What is it Then Between Us?
- The Fragile Planet
- Present Moment Prompts
- 10. REVISION
- How to Build a Bicycle
- The Power of Do-Over
- Revision Prompts
- 11. WRITER’S BLOCK
- Postcards
- Note to Self
- Writer’s Block Prompts
- 12. BEAUTY
- Whatever is Lovely
- Three Ways of Looking at Beauty
- Beauty Prompts
- References
- Acknowledgements
