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January 9, 2026
A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken review
The novelist and writing tutor delivers bracing advice that demolishes familiar ‘stick to what you know’ nostrums
TL;DR
- The private language of creative writing workshops has become widespread.
- Craft books, like those by Ursula K Le Guin and Robert McKee, are common resources for writers.
- Elizabeth McCracken's 'A Long Game' challenges traditional writing craft advice.
- McCracken finds conventional craft books to be overly encouraging and often unread by her.
- She describes her approach as "mischievous truancy" rather than rule-following.
- McCracken offers unconventional advice, such as harnessing "self-loathing" instead of "writing every day."
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