John Gardner writes that when an artist goes over his or her manuscript again and again, "as tense as any stalking beast," that is when he or she begins to create Art. Following the manuscript through to its conclusion is not enough. You must go further, push harder. This kind of soul-straining focus is hard to sustain. The task is daunting to start with. And yet the process is essential for product. If you want Art, you must give in to the process, however different it may be for each individual.
Besides: once you begin, the rest is not so hard. And the reward is considerable. Today, I'm blowing off non-essentials (everything) in favor of What Matters: my novel, which I will finish and send to agents by May 2008.
Besides: once you begin, the rest is not so hard. And the reward is considerable. Today, I'm blowing off non-essentials (everything) in favor of What Matters: my novel, which I will finish and send to agents by May 2008.
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