Adair Lara

I teach writing classes and work one on one with writers,particularly with memoir writers. My specialty is helping writers think through their books, especially the arc. I also am happy to read and give you some detailed feedback on your book. More at my website! I have a new book called Naked, Drunk and Writing (Random House). Praise for Naked, Drunk, and Writing “Half the people I know seem to have taken classes and workshops with San Francisco’s legendary writer and teacher Adair Lara. She is very savvy and smart and hugely entertaining. I admire her greatly.” --Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird The insights are terrific and so is the voice: funny and self-deprecating, ballsy and enthusiastic. Tracy Johnston, author of Shooting the Boh Naked, Drunk, and Writing is smart, funny, and very useful. A lot of the ideas in the book caused me to slap my metaphorical forehead and say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Alas, though, there are no naked writers in this book, except that we’re all naked under our clothes.” -Jon Carroll, columnist, San Francisco Chronicle Naked/Drunk is just terrific. So warm, frank, funny, generous. It's truly juicy with concrete detail and anecdote. Yet methodical. The examples are exuberant, irrepressible. --Joan Frank Adair Lara’s Naked, Drunk and Writing simplifies the process rather than elaborates on the mystery of good writing. The reader says "Oh yeah, I get it. I can do that." --Trish Tomer This is a really wonderful book. One of the best (and most helpful) books on writing I’ve read. And unlike most practical guides, never pedantic or boring. Janis Cooke Newman, author of Mary. Wow! You’ve got a treasure chest here that’s just brimming with jewels! John Leland, professor Adair Lara could teach a rock to write. Packed with examples, suggestions, resources, and exercises, Naked, Drunk and Writing is the perfect companion for you and your laptop. I got my first essay published after reading the chapter on angles. Lee Anna Hedges I loved this book. It supplies writers with more useful information and tips than that contained in the sum of all the writing books on my shelves. Marie Estorge “When I took Adair’s classes, which I did over and over again, her enthusiasm and understanding of the process of writing led me to make that quantum leap to being a published author. Now--at last--the depth and breadth of her experience as writer and editor are distilled into this one great book on writing. Every writer should have a copy on their bookshelf.” --Jacqueline Winspear, author of the Maisie Dobbs series “[Adair’s] books are wise, witty, and wonderful. This is an author who understands humanity. Reading Adair Lara is a pleasure, but not a guilty one, because we come away knowing not only about Adair, her friends and family, but especially more about ourselves. This woman makes us think!” --Elaine Petrocelli, owner of Book Passage "Naked, Drunk, and Writing” is the best book on writing that I've read. I love your conversational tone, and yet it's a nuts-and-bolts book. I've read books that are either one or the other, but never both, or at least, not as successfully as this one. I'm already using some of its suggestions as I continue with my memoir. Elaine Smith Best writing book I've ever read. Tanya Taskila I have been inspired to apply some of the techniques in this book to my writing, and I've gotten very good feedback from readers. Lara’s voice is so true that it encourages me to listen deeply to my own. --Gregory Peebles