Chekhov on Writing: The Mentor, The Self-Critic, Literary Questions and Fictional Writers

by Anton Chekhov, Bob Blaisdell (Editor)

Overview

Considered a pioneer of the short story genre and a trailblazer in modern fiction, Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) started writing at age 20. By 27, he had shifted from traditional storytelling methods to examining the experiences of everyday individuals in mundane circumstances. His evocative portrayals of Russian life and the complexities of human existence resonate with deep emotional sincerity. Chekhov published hundreds of short stories, earning acclaim from a diverse audience, including contemporaries like Leo Tolstoy. Chekhov shared insights into the writing process, offered guidance to aspiring writers, and mentored his brother, Alexander. This anthology showcases Chekhov’s wisdom through quotations from his letters, conversations, notebooks, and works, providing essential lessons in emotional depth and authentic representation of human experiences—an excellent compendium for students, journalists, and writers of every genre.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780486854601
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Publication date:	08/12/2025
Series:	Dover Thrift Editions: Literary Collections
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) was a Russian author of plays and short stories. Although Chekhov became a physician and once considered medicine his primary career, he gained fame and esteem through writing, ultimately producing a number of well-known plays, including The Seagull and Uncle Vanya, and a large body of innovative short stories that influenced the evolution of the form.

Table of Contents

Introduction 

I. The Mentor 

II. The Self-Critic 

III. Literary Questions 

IV. Fictional Writers 
Easter Eve
The Privy Councilor
Hush!
Excellent People
Home
A Play
A Dreary Story: From the Notebook of an Old Man
In Moscow
Three Years
The Seagull

Bibliography