If you’re into poetry, literature, the nature of literary reviews, links to essays and general writing commentary, then this site is for you. Although it mostly reflects the path of my work over the past almost-thirty years, that path should give you an idea of the big and small parts of building a life as a writer. I’ve included info on my books, including some extracts, I’ve included good reviews and puny reviews. Most writers read their reviews and then mostly forget about them.
Our job isn’t to seethe or gloat, but to work and think and reflect and try to do something transformative through our imaginations. Most reviewers who dole out what’s called a ‘bad’ review are in the end flesh-and-blood and not particularly malignant. That is their opinion, no matter how unfair or trivial it seems. And the ones who lash on the praise in layers – well, that too is an opinion. So that’s the deal. I’m pretty sanguine about it all by now and try to keep my excitement for the work itself. Like people in any walk of life, writers suffer from the vagaries of what I’ll call Lit. Fash., the tendency in all communities to either In or Out or slightly invisible or indeed very very TOO visible (we can all think of writers in either category!).
The thing is, none of the outside social tendencies make much difference to most of us, because all we want to do is write and write well. It’s all about process, and about staying open to the possibilities of honouring a process once you have embarked on it.
Enjoy this site. If you are a starting writer, don’t let others discourage you. Be firm with your time and gentle on yourself. Don’t’ show the work to too many ‘close friends’. They may mean well, but they may not feel as you do about art and process, so keep your drafts close to your heart for a while.
Yours,
Mary O’Donnell
