The Kite and the String: How to Write with Spontaneity and Control--and Live to Tell the Tale

by Alice Mattison

A targeted and insightful guide to the stages of writing fiction and memoir without falling into common traps, while wisely navigating the writing life, from an award-winning author and longtime teacher.

“A book-length master class.” — The Atlantic

Writing well does not result from following rules and instructions, but from a blend of spontaneity, judgment, and a wise attitude toward the work—neither despairing nor defensive, but clear-eyed, courageous, and discerning. Writers must learn to tolerate the early stages, the dreamlike and irrational states of mind, and then to move from jottings and ideas to a messy first draft, and onward  into the work of revision. Understanding these stages is key.

The Kite and the String urges writers to let playfulness and spontaneity breathe life into the work—letting the kite move with the winds of feeling—while still holding on to the string that will keep it from flying away. Alice Mattison attends also to the difficulties of protecting writing time, preserving solitude, finding trusted readers, and setting the right goals for publication. The only writing guide that takes up both the stages of creative work and developing effective attitudes while progressing through them, plus strategies for learning more about the craft, The Kite and the String  responds to a pressing need for writing guidance at all levels.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Crafts, Self Help, Art, Memoir, Adult

256 pages, Hardcover

Published August 16, 2016

About the author

Alice Mattison's new novel, WHEN WE ARGUED ALL NIGHT, will be published by Harper Perennial as a paperback original on June 12, 2012. She's the author of 5 other novels, most recently NOTHING IS QUITE FORGOTTEN IN BROOKLYN, 4 collections of stories, and a book of poems. Many of her stories have appeared in The New Yorker and other magazines. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York and has lived for a long time in New Haven, Connecticut. She teaches fiction writing in the Bennington Writing Seminars, the low-residency MFA program at Bennington College in Vermont.

Reviews

[Rachel León]

I found the book to be helpful and comforting, though it also offers a heavy dose of reality which is probably necessary for aspiring writers.

[Holly Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book on writing; Mattison writes well, and analyzes literary works, delving into the history of their composition. I loved her study of an original manuscript of George Sand's plot ideas for Middlemarch. This is an exceptional book.

[Rebecca Upjohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful and encouraging book. The author addresses some of the familiar writing challenges in an open-minded but considered manner. It is not prescriptive but it is a useful book. The author uses examples from literary sources and breaks them down to illustrate her points. She also uses examples from her own experience and that of her students in dealing with the emotional challenges of writing as well as writing craft. I appreciated the reality checks about how one might define success when faced with the myth of what being an author looks like. I also liked the reminder that one need not feel miserable working through the sometimes bewildering process of writing! I likely will re-read this book (perhaps with a pencil to write notes in the margins). Sometimes reframing information that one has seen before can shift understanding. The author has a calm and sure voice and a great deal of experience that is reassuring. Thank you to Buried In Print for the recommendation.

[Katie Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely indispensable for the beginning or advanced writer. I read this with a notebook in hand and Alice's lessons totally opened up a story I was struggling with. Not only technically helpful, reading has the warmth of meeting an old friend who promises to take your hand and point you in the right direction. I got some great additions for my reading list in here, too!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite this being focused on fiction writing, there’s plenty of encouragement and good advice about the writing life here. Mattison is no-nonsense in a way I found so refreshing, especially in this social media saturated publishing world. I want her to be my teacher.

[Ann Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical and encouraging guide to finding your way into a story and creating something satisfying from all that messiness: "If you think of your task as getting control of the material, making it neat and orderly -- rather than making it wild and then getting it under control -- then you're not really doing what writers have to do."

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific, encouraging book on writing that addresses the challenges so many of us face--kids, lives, other jobs, insecurity. Alice Mattison, a dear friend and advisor, combines advice on craft, reading, and life organization to help tip us off the perch that writing is what other people do, and in doing so, helps us find our wings.

[Sebastian]

First read: December 5, 2018, Wednesday

[Kasandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway (yay!) and very much enjoyed it. Not being a fiction writer, and not having any desire to write fiction, I can't say how much it will help those who do -- but the advice, to me, seems solid and covers a lot of ground. As a poet, I found a number of Mattison's suggestions helpful, and in many cases, reinforcing the value of things I already do, including:

- don't be afraid to make things up
- good writing comes from risk
- don't let feeling stupid stop you
- trouble and conflict make good story
- notice where you self-censor, esp. if you're female
- confidence isn't necessary (!!!)
- try re-typing on blank pages when revising to see if something changes itself
- read your work aloud
- organize your work by actually printing it and moving pages around, not just on screen

and more. No, I haven't given the whole book away. There's tons of good stuff in here: encouragement, honesty, and specific tips. A good resource that I will keep for future reference.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine finding out that your favorite graduate school professor, the one who knew exactly how to challenge you a way that felt encouraging, enlightening, thrilling, has written a book for writers exactly like you, writers who have a degree and some experience but not yet a book. I am SO grateful for this wise and funny and inspiring book! Whereas most books on writing are like dieting books that tell you to cut calories, this one embraces the emotional and logistical barriers to good writing. This book respects its reader, treats us as a peer and invites us into the literary life Alice has made for herself. It was a great pleasure to be in the company of Alice's smart, encouraging voice again.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspiring and insightful books about writing I have ever read. An utter gem.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

4-4.5 stars, but rounded up because Mattison is a delightful and thoughtful writer.

I found this book advertised while pursuing an MFA in creative writing and finally finished it during COVID-19. This book was thoughtful, encouraging, and mindful, particularly helpful for those losing their minds in quarantine and failing to write a masterpiece like Shakespeare did when he was in quarantine.

This book has most of the lessons one could find in MFA writing program (of course, MFA programs also give opportunities to network, find teaching jobs, and workshop which in itself is worthwhile), and it offers a heavy mix of reality, sociology of aging, work-life-art balance, and history which is helpful for most writers.

However, nothing is particularly new information or at least earth-shatteringly helpful. Yeah, there are different ways to tell a story, don't beat yourself too hard as a writer, don't be discouraged by book marketing trends, etc. With so many different books on writing on the internet and in print, the least a writer could do in such a book in the modern day is to make their writing funny, deeply personal, or with twist in the writing narrative.

Regardless, the book has an amount of indispensable writing advice, as wry as it is encouraging. The book invites the reader in as a friend, gently pushing the reader to stop worry and start writing, something that can never be stated as much as it can be experienced. If I ever teach creative writing, this book will certainly be on books I would recommend.

A thoughtful and encouraging book. The author addresses some of the familiar writing challenges in an open-minded but considered manner. It is not prescriptive but it is a useful book. The author uses examples from literary sources and breaks them down to illustrate her points. She also uses examples from her own experience and that of her students in dealing with the emotional challenges of writing as well as writing craft. I appreciated the reality checks about how one might define success when faced with the myth of what being an author looks like. I also liked the reminder that one need not feel miserable working through the sometimes bewildering process of writing! I likely will re-read this book (perhaps with a pencil to write notes in the margins). Sometimes reframing information that one has seen before can shift understanding. The author has a calm and sure voice and a great deal of experience that is reassuring. Thank you to Buried In Print for the recommendation

[Mariela Sol · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The solution is to remember that we aren't just writers -- we are persons of letters [...]. We are citizens of the republic of letters, and it turns out that being a citizen is the good part. [...] Being a citizen of the republic of letters will make you happy."

~

Let's begin this review differently by stating that I found this book at my uni's bookstore, and I paid less than three dollars for it. The read itself was enjoyable. The author provides a lot of advice rooted in multiple personal anecdotes -- some more compelling and, consequently, memorable than others. Mattison offers advice for both fiction and non-fiction, and since I mostly only resonated with the non-fiction advice, not all anecdotes and suggestions were particularly helpful. Nonetheless, her comments about writing memoirs and non-fiction overall were interesting.

But through reading this book, I deconstructed the romanticization of writing some more and understood that writing is both a calling and a professional decision. As writers, we are often left with the burden of solitude yet yearning for community. We write for us but also for others to read us. I am finally understanding that, just like Descartes claimed "I think, therefore I am," I live and, therefore, I write. And I write because I have stories to share -- stories that are too precious to be crafted and simply preserved.

But writing is work. Mattison ends the book -- I think the most concrete advice for any writer -- with several thoughts about the responsibility and commitment it takes to be a writer. Not only in a practical way to find publications and persevere in publishing work, but also in the logistics of developing a regular writing habit. Like simply writing every single day. I shall do my best to start there.

And to all my writing friends, I recommend this book. It certainly has given me a lot to think about.

[Elissa Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this three stars because I was completely split between 1 and 5. Half of the book was fascinating and useful insight into analysis of literature in a way I hadn't thought about - namely taking the character actions, story, plot apart in terms of "what else is happening" at the same time. Looking horizontally, if you will.

However the actual writing advice is mostly terrible, consisting of "if you waffle around by the seat of your pants you'll eventually arrive as some of what you can learn in half an hour by reading a good technique book." I'm all for writing by the seat of your pants if that's what works for you, but that's a woefully inefficient and wasteful (not to mention frustrating) way to learn.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author made me laugh several times, which is a relief in a book about writing. I found myself taking copious notes in my journal, as well as underlining passages in the book (which I never do.) In particular, I found the section on George Eliot's "quarry" for Middlemarch to be the best description of the haphazard process of novel writing I've read. I also loved her take on Silence and Storytelling (gaining the confidence to speak directly and clearly instead being murky to be safe.) But my favorite take-away is that I am a happy Citizen of the Republic of Letters. Sounds so Phantom Tollbooth.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give this book six stars if I could. Mattison respects her readers and treats them as equals. Her counsel is wise and funny and truly applicable. She invites her readers into her writing life, and what a valuable experience it is. Her advice on publishing alone is worth the price of the book. If I could recommend only one craft book this year to fellow fiction writers, it would be this one. Heavily highlighted—a keeper.

[Rebecca Schwarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of worldly advice for the literary writer. As a writer who perhaps worries about structure and outline too much, there was a lot in this that I probably needed to hear. I put a couple quotes in my commonplace book and will go forward attempting to write with a little more spontaneity and trust that the control will take care of itself.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very thought-provoking about my approach to writing, especially going into a new genre. I'm a "successful" writer- having published things, but it's different in a new field (historical fiction), where I have the historical expertise, and the habits, but not the background in fiction. Made me excited for this next step.

[Brigitte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. The book is marketed to intermediate and advanced writers, but this was all pretty much old hat to me; so, I think it's more for beginning writers. And I do think the reflections and info would be useful to beginning writers; it just wasn't for me. There were, however, a couple of great nuggets in the book, such as a description of George Eliot's writing process for Middlemarch.

[Michal Crum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I actually read this book twice, cover-to-cover: once in 2018 and once in 2020. It’s full of frank, friendly advice on how to conquer your insecurities and make space in your life to write intelligently. She tells you how to solve problems (and what the problems are), how to go about revising, and more. Wonderful book.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing wisdom abounds in this book using the metaphor of a kite on a string. This book has a bigger picture of what to consider when writing fiction and memoir, rather than being a book of writing techniques, although the author gave good examples from her own writing life, which I appreciated.

[David Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring with some helpful insights. She is kind and realistic and inspiring, though some of the examples that went through and analyzed stories I found a bit tedious. I really appreciated the last chapter on publishing—one of the best I’ve read on the subject.

[Lynn Harpham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best writing book I've read. Plain spoken, empowering, specific. I've learned so much from this book. Since the author doesn't have another, I'm about to turn back around and read it again.

[Ami Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's rare that I don't like a book about writing. Usually they are quite inspiring. This one seemed really dated, even though it was published in 2016. I couldn't read one more word about how great Middlemarch is.....

[Katherine Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I felt "seen" in many sections of this book. The author did a good job describing the problems I find myself in as a writer. She did a poorer job of telling me how to stop the problems, but it was a good read nonetheless.

[Jami Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best book about writing I've read. Would recommend to all writers. A brilliant blend of pragmatic and philosophic advice.

[Maryka Biaggio · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK discussions of writing.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of the book was good but chapter 8 was the best. It took a long time to get through.

[Jules Nyquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Alice Mattison!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good advice, but not as compelling as On Writing or Bird by Bird.