So much truth

[veronica_rich]

Commandeered from poetic_self's LJ. Samuel R. Delany: About Writing

Writers are people who write. By and large, they are not happy people. They're not good at relationships. Often they're drunks. And writing -- good writing -- does not get easier and easier with practice. It gets harder and harder -- so eventually the writer must stall out into silence.The silence that waits for every writer and that, inevitably, if only with death (if we're lucky the two may happen at the same time: but they are still two, and their coincidence is rare), the writer must fall into is angst-ridden and terrifying - and often drives us mad. (In a letter to Allen Tate, the poet Hart Crane once described writing as "dancing on dynamite.") So if you're not a writer, consider yourself fortunate.

(I think I'm going to add this to my LJ's introductory post.)

Comments

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

*G* One of my all-time fave writers with some very wise words. LOL! Then again, look at my personal faves----Joyce, Faulkner and Wilmot. *snerk*

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

Uh, take exception to pretty much this whole thing. Yeah, I know unhappy writers who drink. I also know unhappy people who've never picked up a pen and who drink. I will agree that writing gets harder as you progress, I also think that in some respects it gets easier . This paragraph seems to me to be an apologia for being an asshole.

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be happy or sad.

[porridgebird.livejournal.com]

I've heard the same sentiment expressed by all sorts of people in all sorts of callings. Writers, yes, and also doctors, lawyers, musicians, artists, schoolteachers, scientists (that's all I can think of off the top of my head but I might remember more if I gave it more thought).

But I've also known an equal number of shiny happy people in all those professions, with lovely relationships and no drinkie. Many of whom connected their success and happiness to their callings.

In short, it's a lovely quote, but I don't think there's data to support the generalization.

(Interestingly, I saw a documentary a few months ago on the high incidence of demolished families, drug/alcohol abuse, angst, insanity, even suicide -- among mathmeticians!)

[venusinchains.livejournal.com]

That is definitely true and not true. :P (And it is kind of considered a cliche: the angsting artist, wallowing in mind-altering chemicals either for inspiration or to stem the flow of mad ideas.)

But I love Samuel Delany (when he doesn't frighten me). He's quite an odd bird. Perfect for an lj introductory post.

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was like a portal into my future. LOL

[poetic-self.livejournal.com]

Glad to be of service ;)