There are some valid tips in this work for an aspiring writer, but nothing they wouldn't already know if they are ever going to publish anything worth reading. What is the precise point to this book if it is not meant as writing-course material? I suppose all novelists have a work-diary full of struggles to regale us on, but divulging all the bruises and chafing of writing spoils the magic of the apparent effortlessness we so enjoy as readers of a well-crafted novel (or shorter piece of writing, the author, however, discredits as a waste of time altogether - but produces notwithstanding). It's all a bit vague and haphazzard. A husband is frequently askancely made mention of (but which of the three?); only does it work or not to be a writer’s couple? Piecing bits together from Wikipedia and publishing and divorce dates, possibly not… We mainly learn what a useless profession writing is and how easily a writer gets distracted. Her concentration levels sound pitiful to me and her urgency to write even worse. There is the example of how she gets drawn out of her study, no sooner has she sat herself down, by a group of musical prodigy kids trying to play ball.... (She’ll teach them how.) We get dragged along off topic several times into Dillards own frustrations which don’t sound too dramatic to me. Different generation? (She's from 1945). We end up examining the life of a crop duster slash stunt pilot for an example of writing (in the sky) without words. Apparently with all the reckless self-indulgence a writer displays…. Point being? That writing is not the only way to matter or express yourself? Or if you love sentences you are doomed? Let's just settle on calling this a well written but pretentious exercise in essay writing, which most novelists of any repute end up doing (I seem to collect their efforts besides!).