July 2nd, 2012 / 2:17 pm
 Power Quote

Well, there are two ways to look at having a career. One way to look at it is as though there’s a finite amount of attention and praise in this world to be earned and enjoyed, and thus look upon other writers as enemies or Darwinian competitors. The other way is to imagine you’re one of a bunch of lucky people riding a cosmic wave into the shore. Writing is hard. Writing out of anger and resentment is even harder. The best reason to help other writers is to remind yourself why you’re writing anything in the first place: to share something.

Tom Bissell

5 Comments

  1. July 2nd, 2012 / 3:51 pm JAGABOND—

      Sadly, it appears we’re stuck with the first scenario.  

  2. July 2nd, 2012 / 6:43 pm leapsloth14—

      Indeed

  3. July 3rd, 2012 / 2:29 pm Anonymous—

      Booyah.

      Thanks for this.

  4. July 3rd, 2012 / 5:05 pm QKSTKGRYFTS—

      “HELPING” OTHER WRITERS, AND “SHARING” “SOMETHING” ARE UNRELATED.

      THAT IS OBVIOUS.

      “HELPING” OTHER WRITERS IS AN “ALTRUISTIC” ACT.

      “SHARING” “SOMETHING” (i.e. PUBLISHING WRITING) IS AN EGOTISTICAL ACT.
      THAT QUOTE IS FALLACIOUS.

  5. July 3rd, 2012 / 6:48 pm Anonymous—

       whenever you write something i hear the sound of cymbals crashing
      but i never read a really long comment from you, don’t know if it would peter out