• We Wanted to be Writers

  • Life, Love, and Literature at the Iowa Writers' Workshop
  • By: Eric Olsen, Glenn Schaffer
  • Narrated by: Rama Vallury
  • Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (10 ratings)

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We Wanted to be Writers  By  cover art

We Wanted to be Writers

By: Eric Olsen, Glenn Schaffer
Narrated by: Rama Vallury
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Editorial reviews

The right time, the right place, the right mix of people - all the conditions for creative success were met between 1974 and 1978 at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, a group that nurtured the talents of John Irving, Jane Smiley, T.C. Boyle, and other literary greats. We Wanted to be Writers reminisces over this time of creative ferment through interviews and commentary with over 30 graduates and teachers from the legendary institution. Voice performer Rama Vallury takes listeners into the convivial inner circle of writers, skillfully capturing their yearning for success alongside the gossip and advice they so easily dispense. Entertaining and thoughtful, We Wanted to be Writers is sure to inspire anyone whose keenest desire is to write.

Publisher's summary

“It was the best teaching-writing job I ever had.” (John Irving)

We Wanted to be Writers is a rollicking and insightful blend of original interviews, commentary, advice, gossip, anecdotes, analyses, history, and asides with nearly thirty graduates and teachers at the now legendary Iowa Writers' Workshop between 1974 and 1978. Among the talents that emerged in those years - writing, criticizing, drinking, and debating in the classrooms and barrooms of Iowa City - were the younger versions of writers who became John Irving, Jane Smiley, T. C. Boyle, Michelle Huneven, Allan Gurganus, Sandra Cisneros, Jayne Anne Phillips, Jennie Fields, Joy Harjo, Joe Haldeman, and many others. It is chock full of insights and a treasure trove of inspiration for all writers, readers, history lovers, and anyone who ever "wanted to be a writer."

Jane Smiley on the Iowa writers' workshop: "In that period, the teachers tended to be men of a certain age, with the idea that competition was somehow the key-the Norman Mailer period. The story was that if you disagreed with Norman, or gave him a bad review, he'd punch you in the nose. You were supposed to get in fights in restaurants."

T.C. Boyle on his short story "Drowning": "I got $25 for it, which was wonderful... You know, getting $25 for the product of your own brain? You could buy a lot of beer in Iowa City back then for that."

©2011 Eric Olsen and Glenn Schaeffer (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

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Stories.

Liked it all. I would have always liked to have attended but never found time in my life. I envy those who did.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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History but no guidance.

I found this unappealing. I was looking for help writing-this came up on a search
A lot of reminiscing but no guidance. Bummed.

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Authentic

Fun to read a little confusing from time to time with a male narrator in a male voice speaking as a female then make but a perfect read for aspiring writers

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