It's A Process of Discovery

“I envy those writers who outline their novels, who know where they’re going, but I find writing is a process of discovery.” – Jay McInerney

Born in Connecticut on this date in 1955, McInerney is the author of 8 novels and 2 books of short stories, including the award-winning novel Bright Lights, Big City and short story collection How It Ended. He also is a regular in the Wall Street Journal, where he writes both editorial copy and serves as a food and wine writer and columnist.       A graduate of Williams College, McInerney went on to study creative writing at Syracuse University where he was a student of Raymond Carver, often ranked as one of America’s best 20^th century writers.

Friends with a number of other famous writers, McInerney holds the interesting distinction of having one of his characters – Alison Poole (from his novel Story of My Life) – become a regular character in the writings of Bret Easton Ellis, including Ellis’ award-winning book and movie American Psycho. 

Poole was one of those “emerging from the shadows” characters who became the key focus for not just one, but two writers – not to mention many, many satisfied readers.  You know you’ve had an impact on the writing world when something like that happens.

“I've been interested in writing and storytelling since I learned to read,” McInerney said.   “But it wasn't until I read Dylan Thomas, when I was 14, that I became interested in language itself, and saw it as more than a transparent medium for a story.”

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