Writing about well-known famous cities - as New York City - for example is risky, as there are places always on the front page of the newspapers from around the world and a permanent source of inspiration, reveries or even hate. In this case, what a writer must chose in order to make its writing interesting?
The advantages of the big cities is that you always could find new perspectives and new angles to outline. The direct personal experiences are adding a natural individual flavor you will not find in history books or usual news reports. Your art is to educate your eyes and share a personal experience of seeing a corner of a city. The voice in this case is only yours, as a strong manifesto of your individuality and precarity.
For me, Lily Brett's New York was an useful source of inspiration and exactly because of the very personal amprent of the place. About 50 very short stories, almost the same length, translating through her eyes a hectic world. I love New York and its people and its places, even it is not my favorite place in America. But I was pleasantly surprised to find in this book painting of corners and new descriptions of episodes I was familiar with. Enough food for my own literary travel works.
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