An idea that initiated through commentaries Ellen Gilchrist did for NPR, Falling Through Space provides a funny and intimate diary of a writer's self-discovery. Gilchrist's is a distinctive Southern voice whose life and memories are every bit as entertaining as the wild and poignant short stories for which she is famous. The short essays that anchor this book vividly explore the Mississippi plantation life of her childhood; the books, teachers, and artists who influenced her development; and her thoughts about writing and life in general. Gilchrist reveals her origins, influences, and the way she works when she writes. Required reading for any fan, this book is Gilchrist at her funniest and best.