September 7th, 2010 / 8:26 pm
Power Quote
Mike Young
Power Quote
Andre Agassi on Writing
“In tennis you’re on an island. Of all the games men and women play, tennis is the closest to solitary confinement, which inevitably leads to self-talk, and for me the self-talk starts here in the afternoon shower. This is when I begin to say things to myself, crazy things, over and over, until I believe them.”
Tags: andre agassi
Yes! I love the idea of writing as self-talk, a kind of solitary incantation, self-talking and talk-selfing a work into existence. Until you “believe” it.
I know a poet who takes several long walks a day and orally composes poems as he goes. (He either writes them down or memorizes them.)
Yes, yes–exactly. Good writers are good prisoners, working best in solitary confinement, talking to the walls.
So true. (When it comes to writing. I don’t play tennis. I hate sweating unless I’m fucking.)
Eh… a little too much story, Dawn, no offense. (!!)
Anyhow: the excerpt is surprisingly interesting, considering how much I dislike tennis, not to mention all sports, really. Not like I’m likely to order it from my local library, but… if someone I know had that book on their floor, desk, kitchen table, whatever… I’d surely pick it up.
Fat chance of that happening, though. None of the tribes I belong to are into sports.
Yes! I love the idea of writing as self-talk, a kind of solitary incantation, self-talking and talk-selfing a work into existence. Until you “believe” it.
I know a poet who takes several long walks a day and orally composes poems as he goes. (He either writes them down or memorizes them.)
Yes, yes–exactly. Good writers are good prisoners, working best in solitary confinement, talking to the walls.
So true. (When it comes to writing. I don’t play tennis. I hate sweating unless I’m fucking.)
Eh… a little too much story, Dawn, no offense. (!!)
Anyhow: the excerpt is surprisingly interesting, considering how much I dislike tennis, not to mention all sports, really. Not like I’m likely to order it from my local library, but… if someone I know had that book on their floor, desk, kitchen table, whatever… I’d surely pick it up.
Fat chance of that happening, though. None of the tribes I belong to are into sports.
Very good quote. Is this from the book? I’m a tennis fan and don’t really care about bios, but I’ve read excerpts and I liked the writing.
yep, it’s from the book
Read this review: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/jun/24/deuce/
Very good quote. Is this from the book? I’m a tennis fan and don’t really care about bios, but I’ve read excerpts and I liked the writing.
yep, it’s from the book
Read this review: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/jun/24/deuce/
hehe: ‘Moehringer graciously but conspicuously declined to share credit for the book, guaranteeing that he would receive it.’
hehe: ‘Moehringer graciously but conspicuously declined to share credit for the book, guaranteeing that he would receive it.’
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