By Robert Mayhew
This talk examines The Art of Nonfiction: A Guide for Readers and Writers, a book based on the nonfiction writing course Ayn Rand gave in 1969. Dr. Mayhew presents highlights from the book, such as: approaching writing professionally; choosing a subject and theme; the role of the subconscious in writing; a discussion of the worst writing problem, the “squirms”; developing a style; and applying philosophy without preaching it.
Dr. Mayhew also relates some of the best “outtakes” from the book—including what Ayn Rand disliked about the movie Ninotchka, and how she arrived at the titles for The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.
(MP3 download; 90 min., with Q & A, 57.4 MB)
