Patricia Highsmith has to rank as one of quirkiest writers in Mystery Land. From Strangers on a Train to the Ripley series featuring a sociopathic murderer, Highsmith’s work has been unusual and distinctive. In this slim volume, Highsmith describes how she wrote her novels and short stories, from “The Germ of an Idea” to “Development” and “Plotting” to the “First Draft” and “Second Draft.” But the chapter that makes this book must reading is Chapter 10: “The Case History of a Novel: The Glass Cell” where Highsmith goes step by step through the creative process and the publishing process of her underrated novel. First published in 1985, Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction has been operating under most mystery fans’ radar for decades. Highsmith’s approach to writing (and Life) encourages innovation and uniqueness. This book is still in print: check out a copy and be enlightened.
Yup. Right up there with Kate Wilhelm’s STORYTELLER and Damon Knight’s CREATING SHORT FICTION in the THOSE WHO CAN ALSO TEACH file…(and, of course, if you haven’t read it yet, don’t miss Marijane Meaker’s HIGHSMITH, her memoir of her life with Highsmith…Meaker, of course, better known under such pseudonyms as M. E. Kerr and Vin Packer).
Yes, I’ve read Marijane Meaker’s HIGHSMITH, Todd. An insightful biography of a truly unique, though tortured, writer.
Maybe you should have done THE GLASS CELL as the forgotten book, and mentioned this in your review, instead of the other way round?
Great idea, Rick! Next Friday’s FORGOTTEN BOOK will be Highsmith’s The Glass Cell. I haven’t read it in a decade so rereading it will be rewarding.
It does sound interesting, though.
Lots of good writing advice. Highsmith and Meeker spent a lot of time in New Hope, PA where my husband grew up and I worked in the summer. Gorgeous country and they area was welcoming to non-traditional couples early on.
Rick made a good suggestion that I review Highsmith’s THE GLASS CELL for FORGOTTEN BOOKS this Friday, Patti. I’ll relate the book to Highsmith’s case study in PLOTTING & WRITING SUSPENSE FICTION.
Great!
THE GLASS CELL is one of Highsmith’s underrated books, Patti. Her case study of how she came to write the book–with its many difficulties–was fascinating to me.