Such a great post! I treasure my one-page (one-sentence) printed form rejection from Lish at The Quarterly. It made me feel like it was really only circumstance that prevented acceptance of my (naive and prematurely sent) story. I studied with Amy Hempel at Skidmore 30 years ago -- a life-changing experience where I learned some of the Lish aesthetic. (and where we met briefly as you were writer in residence!) Her workshop approach was maybe a little less directive than Lish's. Faced with an opening that was throat clearing, she would say, "Who can see another way into this story?" whereas Lish, I gather, would point to another paragraph and declare: "There's your 'attack'!" I only recently discovered your published interview with Lish and will be seeking it out! As for your story, so many sentences to love. My favourite: "The men who could count counted." Many thanks for sharing your hand-edited pages. What a time machine.
Such a great post! I treasure my one-page (one-sentence) printed form rejection from Lish at The Quarterly. It made me feel like it was really only circumstance that prevented acceptance of my (naive and prematurely sent) story. I studied with Amy Hempel at Skidmore 30 years ago -- a life-changing experience where I learned some of the Lish aesthetic. (and where we met briefly as you were writer in residence!) Her workshop approach was maybe a little less directive than Lish's. Faced with an opening that was throat clearing, she would say, "Who can see another way into this story?" whereas Lish, I gather, would point to another paragraph and declare: "There's your 'attack'!" I only recently discovered your published interview with Lish and will be seeking it out! As for your story, so many sentences to love. My favourite: "The men who could count counted." Many thanks for sharing your hand-edited pages. What a time machine.