Poets in Chaucer's time often called themselves "makers." Thus,
American poet James
Dickey, probably best known for his novel Deliverance, called his office "The
Cave of Making." He also said one of my favorite things about
writing (and life): "What I want to be is willing to fail rather
than
stagnate."
A photograph of Dickey's office shows him surrounded on all sides by
shelves overflowing with books, bulging file folders, stacks of papers,
more books, more papers, so that it really does look as though he's
working in a cave of sorts. (The photograph is reproduced below,
although the quality isn't very good.) I suspect Dickey liked
having
readings and notes and reference works close by, in case he needed them
as he worked. Similarly, I hope that this web site will provide
you with easy access to resources that will help you to do your own
"making" more easily. (Besides, I liked the sound of it!)
Please be sure to check out my resources
page for links to the textbooks for my classes, strategies for
getting started, revising, developing, and organizing ideas, revising,
creative writing, research, and wellness. In addition, I've
provided links to readings to get you thinking and writing.
Enjoy!
Steve Mark
