I start with very short pieces, usually no more than a handwritten page. I try to focus on something specific: a person, a moment, a place. I do what I ask my student to do when I teach creative writing. I explain to them that such fragments are the first steps to take before constructing a story. I think a writer should observe the real world before imagining a nonexistent one.
Jhumpa Lahiri discusses her writing process, emphasizing the importance of starting with brief, focused pieces. She often writes about specific subjects such as a moment, a person, or a place, limiting herself to no more than a handwritten page. This method allows her to hone in on particular details, which serve as building blocks for larger narratives.
Lahiri believes that observing reality is crucial for writers. She highlights this in her...
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
