Chapters: My Growth as a Writer
Chapters: My Growth as a Writer is an autobiography authored by Lois Duncan and published in 1982.
Contents
Within Chapters: My Growth as a Writer, Duncan explores how her personal experiences shaped her early short stories, such as "The Fairy in the Woods," which she wrote at age 10 but faced rejection from all magazines, and "The Reason," composed at 13 and successfully published. The book also chronicles her transition from contributing short stories and poetry to magazines to releasing her initial books.
Reception
Recognized as an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults in 1982, the autobiography received acclaim for its approachable narrative and depth. Terry Lawhead of the School Library Journal remarked that it "flows smoothly, much like one of her novels," while Zena Sutherland commended Duncan's "honesty and insight" presented in an engaging manner. Iris McClellan Tiedt, writing for the English Journal, recommended the work particularly to emerging writers, emphasizing its authenticity, perseverance, wisdom, genuine voice, and documentation of development over time.