Comments on: “don’t do it unless you have to”

By: tucola

tucola — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:24:45 +0000

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.

By: The Cormac McCarthy thoughtchain post | Jason Doucette, Toronto Tech Guy

The Cormac McCarthy thoughtchain post | Jason Doucette, Toronto Tech Guy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:02:17 +0000

[…] 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 […]

By: qotd: “don’t do it unless you have to” | Gapingvoid

qotd: “don’t do it unless you have to” | Gapingvoid — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:38:36 +0000

[…] Cormac answered, “Don’t do it unless you have to.” via gapingvoid.com […]

By: Jessica Meats

Jessica Meats — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:48:33 +0000

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.

By: Shelley Noble

Shelley Noble — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:51:55 +0000

Damn Skippy Straight Up True Dat.

By: Jill Elswick

Jill Elswick — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:17:16 +0000

Congrats, Hugh. I agree w/ Cormac McCarthy’s advice.

By: Wogan

Wogan — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:16:18 +0000

You totally need a secret underground lair on an island. With hot minions.

By: Jennifer Louden

Jennifer Louden — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:47:45 +0000

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.