Slate yesterday had an interesting review of New Yorker book critic James Wood’s new book. Money quote:
I hope this isn’t taken the wrong way, but by the end of How Fiction Works, I felt as though I had just read a very wise guide to parenting. I had been reminded of the important things in life, or at least the important things when dealing with one’s own creations: Respect them. Give them room to blossom. Don’t natter on; that sounds like nagging. “Tutor” or “teach” (Wood’s verbs); don’t “lecture.” Be persuasive rather than dictatorial.
The full review is here: http://www.slate.com/toolbar.aspx?action=print&id=2195714
Wood’s book at Amazon is here: http://www.amazon.com/How-Fiction-Works-James-Wood/dp/0374173400/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216852430&sr=8-1
Prometheus Unbound 