Complesso, profondo.

I've not read much by Henry Miller but I recently had the fortune to work with some of his original correspondence, some of which was quoted and referenced in this book. What you'll find in here is less of a how to write guide and more of how *he* writes, and why; what compels him, what he thinks of the controversy over his "obscene" writing. It's just as irreverent as any of his novels and well worth a read (or a listen) if you are the least bit familiar with this 20th Century author/celebrity.

A new bible of mine, and not just for writers. I underlined probably half of this book. Very very relevant to today. Miller’s eyes were open.

“To call [a book] graphic or obscene is like talking of spittle in connection with the hydrogen bomb.”

Beautiful

Such an excellent book for writers. I underlined so many sections.

Cures vertigo.

Though it appears a short book, this is NOT a quick read. With every turn of the page, I found myself pausing to think, re-read, make notes. The excellent insight and incredible interpretations of the everyday were not to be read, but rather digested. A favorite for sure.

One interesting book.
As I find with much of his writing what he's largely drilling down to, no matter what he's actually superficially discussing is always the big one! LIFE, life itself. It's really thrilling in that ambition, which can have an overwhelming, sometimes bleak sensation but then by the next page he can have me laughing out loud or full to the brim with wonder.
Lots and lots of references to other interesting works too.
Don't expect it to be instructional, "how to" in any respect, or always directly about writing, it's far bigger and more rewarding than that.

If you're an aspiring writer, this is the one to read. Miller's command of language is awe-inspiring.

"i was so in love with the idea of being a writer that i could scarcely write...i wore myself out in preparation. It was impossible for me to sit down quietly and just turn on the flow; I was dancing inside. I wanted to describe the world i knew and be in it at the same time. It never occurred to me that with just two or three hours of steady work a day i could write the thickest book imaginable. It was my brief that if a [person] day down to write [they] should remain glued to [their] seat for eight or ten hours at a stretch..."

"sometimes one makes the mistake or commits the sin, shall i say, of trying to fix the moment, trying to pin it down in words... I never dreamed that it was an end in itself, that to experience a moment of pure bliss, of pure awareness, was the end-all be-all... 'Experience! More experience!' I clamored..."

I loved this book. So much to agree with. A book to read and study.

I bought this book in an airport on my way to Arizona and read it in one day. Heavy stuff with the autobiographical tone of the book and emphasis on seemingly random pieces of his life, but I loved it. I was offended by his treatment of women, but I felt that finally someone wasn't walking on eggshells. i was young when I read it, but I still remember quotes and have dog eared pages. It's a book I've recommended highly, but have never been able to part with it long enough to loan it out. "He and I are so alike, it is like looking at myself in a cracked mirror." Profound and utterly dirty. Read it.