Ryo Yamaguchi
“Above my desk are the famous lines from Wallace Stevens: ‘In the world of words, / Imagination is one of / The forces of nature.’ Kant would be proud. Or maybe it’s a matter of surrender
Writers Recommend
In this online exclusive we ask authors to share books, art, music, writing prompts, films—anything and everything—that has inspired them in their writing. We see this as a place for writers to turn to for ideas that will help feed their creative process.
John McCarthy
“If I don’t write for a few days, I feel hungover, like my muscles are tight. Creative and intellectual exertions parallel, for me, physical exertion. Having run cross-country in college, I spent thousands of hours and miles on roads all over Illinois.
Amit Majmudar
“Whether it’s prose you want to write or poetry, if you’re feeling blocked, simply open up Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian
Katie Chase
“My approach to short stories is to think of each as its own world, with its own parameters, and even its own aesthetics. The tradeoff for the fun and satisfaction this brings
Tyehimba Jess
“When I'm stuck, when I'm really stuck and the words can't seem to get out, there are a few things that I do to try to jar myself into action.
Kali VanBaale
“Like most writers, I frequently rely on trusted early readers to give me constructive feedback for my work-in-progress. But after a certain point,
Chris McCormick
“My tricks to break through writing barriers are pretty much indistinguishable from distractions.
Adam Clay
“As opposed to an art that occurs because of inspiration (divine or otherwise), I view writing as a skill that should be cultivated and developed. Inspiration happens, yes, but one must be ready for it.
Lynn Steger Strong
“I’ve had to learn in those moments—when I’m desperate to get it right, when I’ve fought for the time to have the chance to write—not to let the defeat
