Tobias Wolff (b.1945,) in full Tobias Jonathan Ansell Wolff, is an American novelist, editor, journalist, and educator. One of America’s most critically acclaimed writers, he is primarily known for his memoirs and short stories, in which he skillfully depicted many voices and a wide range of emotions.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Wolff was educated at Oxford and Stanford universities. He is best known for his short stories and memoirs, particularly This Boy’s Life (1989.) A former reporter for the Washington Post and a Vietnam veteran, he is a professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University. In addition, he served as director of the prestigious Creative Writing Program 2000–02.
Wolff’s other works include the memoir In Pharaoh’s Army (1994.) He has also written four short story collections and two novels, including The Barracks Thief (1984) and Old School (2003.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Tobias Wolff
We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.
—Tobias Wolff
Topics: Perseverance, Persistence
Everything has to be pulling weight in a short story for it to be really of the first order.
—Tobias Wolff
Topics: Weight
I recall that my workshop leaders were tactful in their ways of acquainting me with my shortcomings as a writer. So much so that I hardly realized they were doing it. I want always to keep that sort of thing in mind when I’m teaching. The way you get better in everything in this life is to make mistakes. Otherwise you’re probably doing it right by accident. But you have to do everything wrong before you can really start with some authority to do it right.
—Tobias Wolff
Topics: Mistakes
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