Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow
A DIY Manual for the Construction of Stories
The long-awaited book about the craft of creative writing from Steve Almond, beloved teacher, mentor, and author.
ISBN
9781638931300
Language
English
Page count
304
Edition
Paperback
Sale date
April 9, 2024
Dimensions
5.5 x 8.25
About the Book
From the acclaimed author of twelve books of fiction and nonfiction, including All the Secrets of The World and the New York Times bestsellers Candyfreak and Against Football, comes a craft book that is at once irreverent and iconoclastic.
In Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow, Steve Almond employs the radical empathy he displayed as co-host (with Cheryl Strayed) of the podcast Dear Sugars to explore the joys and trials of storytelling, and to explode the myths that hold us back from writing our deepest and truest work. The book includes chapters on plot, character, and chronology, but travels far beyond the earnest intentions of most craft books. It includes essays on humor, sex, writer’s block, and the dividends of failure, as well as prompts to generate new work and a rollicking Frequently Asked Questions section. You’ll never think about writing the same way again.
Reviews
“Tempting as it must be to write a self-congratulatory craft book full of breezy expertise, this volume is a total reversal of that impulse. Rather than giving us polished gems of writerly wisdom devoid of context, Almond takes us with him to the proverbial mines. . . . Almond’s vulnerability makes this book a useful companion for writers on difficult journeys of their own. . . . This isn’t
, therefore,just a book about writing. It’s a book about honesty: what makes it elusive, the risks it implies, and not just how to pursue it, but also why.”
“Hilarious, heartfelt, and hopeful.”
“[A] helpful supplement to any writer’s practice, be they a novice or a seasoned vet. . . . His prose has the cozy formality of a writers’ workshop, and he delivers a treasure trove of examples from literature to prove each point. He emphasizes the roles of humor and doubt and advises on how to write authentic intimacy, break the cycle of writer’s block, and move beyond entitlement and into wisdom.”
“Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is one of the best books on writing I’ve ever read. It’s also the funniest by a country mile.”
“Steve Almond is a master teacher, which is to say he is smart, humble and brave. Much more than just method and strategy, truth and mercy become, in these pages, instructions for meeting the world authentically, which makes for better writing, and a far more valuable life.”
“Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is a hilarious book that will kick your writing to the next level. I salivated over it and underlined like a madwoman.”
“Steve Almond has done something remarkable here; he has demystified the writer’s tool kit without over simplifying the brave descent into mystery that is every writer’s task. Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is deeply edifying, funny, often moving, erudite, wonderfully wise, and downright inspiring. I highly recommend this soul-nourishing and helpful book!”
“Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is an insightful and delightful book about how we hone the craft and embolden the heart in order to write well. Clear, compelling, and rich with wisdom and humor, Steve Almond has written an essential and timeless book for writers.”
Steve Almond
Steve Almond is the author of eleven books of fiction and nonfiction, including the New York Times bestsellers Candyfreak and Against Football. His essays and reviews have been published in venues ranging from the New York Times Magazine to Ploughshares to Poets & Writers, and his short fiction has appeared in Best American Short Stories, The Pushcart Prize, Best American Mysteries, and Best American Erotica. Almond is the recipient of grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. He cohosted the Dear Sugars podcast with his pal Cheryl Strayed for four years, and teaches Creative Writing at the Neiman Fellowship at Harvard and Wesleyan. He lives in Arlington, Massachusetts, with his family and his anxiety.
