Ron Carlson Writes a Story

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Ron Carlson has been praised as “a master of the short story” (Booklist). In this essay collection, Ron Carlson Writes a Story, he offers a full range of notes and gives rare insight into a veteran writer’s process by inviting the reader to watch over his shoulder as he creates the short story “The Governor’s Ball.”
“This is a story of a story” he begins, and proceeds to offer practical advice for creating a great story, from the first glimmer of an idea to the final sentence. Carlson urges the writer to refuse the outside distractions—a second cup of coffee, a troll through the dictionary—and attend to the necessity of uncertainty, the pleasures of an unfolding story.
“The Governor’s Ball”—included in its entirety—serves as a fascinating illustration of the detailed anatomy of a short story.

Ron Carlson is the author of several books of fiction, including Five Skies. He directs the graduate program in fiction at the University of California, Irvine.

“Do yourself a favor and read Ron Carlson.” —Stephen King

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