"Part Two of the Caroline Leavitt Interview:"
3 Comments - Show Original Blog

An informative interview. Thanks to Lorna and Caroline. Great to hear things from the reviewer's perspective.

Debra

9/3/2009 7:29:13 PM [ Report Abuse ]

I have a theory about why there are so many rushed and summarized endings to otherwise really well-written novels.

The last chapters are the least written chapters!

Most writers revise and revise as they push their way through a manuscript form start to finish. Inevitably, the last pages, even though they are immensely significant (and, if anything, the language and pacing count even more, sentence to sentence), are often hastily concluded and are therefore the least revised pages of all. Because once the novel is finished, often under pressure of deadline, often with a huge sigh of relief, off it goes, and the first stage of writing has concluded with inadequate attention paid to those crucial final pages.

9/3/2009 3:14:27 PM [ Report Abuse ]

Caroline Leavitt is one of our ultimate literary treasures. Fair, so human and empathetic she brings a rare sensibility to all her reviews , and she's so passionate about novels, which comes from being such an amazing writer herself. Just wanted to plant a round of applause for a wonderful reviewer and writer.

9/3/2009 7:51:00 AM [ Report Abuse ]