Ron Carlson writes a story : From the first glimmer of an idea to the final sentence

Ron Carlson has been praised as "a master of the short story" (Booklist). In this essay collection, Ron Carlson Writes a Story, he offers a full range of notes and gives rare insight into a veteran writer's process by inviting the reader to watch over his shoulder as he creates the short story "The Governor's Ball." "This is a story of a story" he begins, and proceeds to offer practical advice for creating a great story, from the first glimmer of an idea to the final sentence. Carlson urges the writer to refuse the outside distractions—a second cup of coffee, a troll through the dictionary—and attend to the necessity of uncertainty, the pleasures of an unfolding story. "The Governor's Ball"—included in its entirety—serves as a fascinating illustration of the detailed anatomy of a short story.

Ron Carlson has been praised as "a master of the short story" (Booklist). In this essay collection, he offers a full range of notes and gives rare insight into a veteran writer's process by inviting the reader to watch over his shoulder as he creates the short story "The Governor's Ball."

"This is a story of a story" he begins, and proceeds to offer practical advice for creating a great story, from the first glimmer of an idea to the final sentence. Carlson urges the writer to refuse the outside distractions—a second cup of coffee, a troll through the dictionary—and attend to the necessity of uncertainty, the pleasures of an unfolding story.

"The Governor's Ball"—included in its entirety—serves as a fascinating illustration of the detailed anatomy of a short story.

Ron Carlson has been praised as a master of the short story ( Booklist ). In this book-length essay, he offers a full range of notes and gives rare insight into a veteran writers process by inviting the reader to watch over his shoulder as he creates the short story The Governors Ball. This is a story of a story, he begins, and proceeds to offer practical advice for creating a great story, from the first glimmer of an idea to the final sentence. Carlson urges the writer to refuse the outside distractionsa second cup of coffee, a troll through the dictionaryand attend to the necessity of uncertainty, the pleasures of an unfolding story. The Governors Ballincluded in its entiretyserves as a fascinating illustration of the detailed anatomy of a short story. "In this essay, [Carlson, the author] offers a full range of notes for the writer and gives rare insight into a veteran writer's process by inviting the reader to watch over his shoulder as he creates the short story 'The Governor's Ball'"--Back cover