December 20, 2009
“don’t do it unless you have to”
I’ve spent most of the last week working on my second book, EVIL PLANS. I’m hoping to have the manuscript finished and ready to send to the publisher by the end of January.
I’m perfectly happy with the idea of being known as an artist; the idea of being known as an author as well is still a wee bit alien to me. Still, I’m new enough at this game to find the whole thing pretty darn exciting.
Cormac McCarthy was once asked by a young, aspiring writer, what advice would he give to a young, aspiring writer?
Cormac answered, “Don’t do it unless you have to.”
That’s damn good advice…
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A wee chuckle to start your day off right etc.
Good advice. After writing 6 books, I can’t find another one in me. I keep hoping but it seems far too daunting, and since my days of big fat advances are gone, also hard to find the time. But there is something so delicious about being deep in the middle of a project and following the thread, trying to articulate something important. Sending good writing vibes.
You totally need a secret underground lair on an island. With hot minions.
Congrats, Hugh. I agree w/ Cormac McCarthy’s advice.
Damn Skippy Straight Up True Dat.
Define “have to.”
As a young, aspiring writer I know I could probably survive without writing another story. Still stopping writing seems about as likely (and appealling) as stopping breathing.
I’d just happily skip the editing part.
[...] Cormac answered, “Don’t do it unless you have to.” via gapingvoid.com [...]
[...] the first, which is the most recent, is from this week by Hugh MacLeod, in which he retells the story of a young aspiring writer asking McCarthy for advice on starting [...]
As Biggie Smalls once rapped, “Stay far from timid. Only make moves if your heart’s in it. And live the phrase ’sky’s the limit’. Motherfucker”. Always struck me as potentially good advice that might apply to this sort of endeavour (and indeed to any endeavour).
Looking forward to your next book, having enjoyed the last one.