The Essential Don Murray: Lessons from America's Greatest Writing Teacher- Book Review

It's not often that someone has the pleasure of sitting at the feet of a genius; not just any genius, but someone who can arguably be considered the best at what they do. Pulitzer prize winner Don Murray is one of those people. Though he has passed away from life, Thomas Newkirk and Lisa C. Miller have gone through Don Murray's writings, essays, and even his daybook to create a collection that represents his fundamental views on the process of writing in the book, The Essential Don Murray: Lessons from America's Greatest Writing Teacher.

Part of the charm of this book is at the beginning when the two editors share insights on Don's life. For those of us who did not have the pleasure of knowing this man, they help us understand a little more about him. Then, as you read his compiled essays on writings, you can read them almost as if you are sitting at Don's feet.

For those who want a fresh look at the writing process, The Essential Don Murray offers a warm, unique look that can only be offered by someone who truly understands the process. In fact, Don was not confined to traditional academic beliefs. He often shared his teachings in spite of current beliefs on writing. As a professor at the University of New Hampshire, he had ample opportunity to influence students who sat at his feet.

As you get into the essays in the book, you will learn far more than just the "how-to's" of writing. You get a glimpse into the fundamental process of writing itself. The attitude that a writer must have for the writing process itself. You learn to start to see writing as almost an independent entity that will help you with the process if you learn to listen to it. Sprinkled throughout the book, the writer learns to let the process itself guide him or her through the writing process.

One of the most eye-opening parts of the book for me is the realization that the writing process starts long before a writer puts pen to paper; it begins perhaps months or even years before as the seed is created and starts to germinate in the mind. To Don, this part of the process is just as vital as every other part. I'll have to fight the temptation to share Don's nuggets on writing, but let me tell you that they are found on just about every page of his essays.

Some of the most intimate chapters in the book is in reading images taken directly from his daybook. You can read Don's work in his own handwriting. In fact, by the time you are done with The Essential Don Murray, you will have a new, fresh look on the writing process. It is delivered by a man who not only knows his craft, but understands it intimately, perhaps more that most experts. And his essays help share this intimate understanding with all of us.

After reading The Essential Don Murray: Lessons from America's Greatest Writing Teacher, I walked away with a much better appreciation and understanding of the writing process. But perhaps even more important for me, I walked away with the sincere gratitude of being introduced to one of the best writing teachers in our century.

Tony Eldridge