What I think is wrong...

...with many of the excellent younger writers these days is echoed by Luke O'Neil in this book review for The Weekly Dig.

There's no denying that these kids are learning to write beautifully in their grad programs at Iowa Writer's Workshop or, more locally, Emerson College. Problem is, they have nothing to say. Put it as prettily as you will, but when there's no experience to write about, it's all kind of vapid, in the end.

And no, it's not just "chick lit" that falls victim. McSweeney's, is a great idea, and stuffed to bursting with smart contributors, but after about 10 minutes, it's just too precious and self-congratulatory. I get to wondering what these writers could come up with if they really tried to do something original and thoughtful, rather than cleverly mimicking more seasoned authors.

~Fischlipps