tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post6904348795377125420..comments2024-02-25T01:48:45.848-07:00Comments on Mr. Center's Wall: "All the Pretty Horses," McCarthy, and my [lack of] Confidence as a WriterJoseph Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090686611405364311noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post-29026296317794865972010-11-09T20:38:21.481-07:002010-11-09T20:38:21.481-07:00I think your first paragraph is kind of what I am ...I think your first paragraph is kind of what I am trying to say, too. I know intellectually that there are new books and new ideas and new greatness, it's just hard to figure out HOW they pulled it off! <br /><br />I know you said you don't want any "consolation," but this post inspired me to write another 2000 or so words for my novel for the first time in a few days. Up to about 8200. Like I said, I don't expect to finish it by the end of November, but at least it's giving me a good start. The problem is that every time I do this I end up taking about 2 hours, which I think is probably longer than they want, and it discourages me from writing again unless I have a lot of time.<br /><br />Also, thanks for the kind words. You mean a lot to all of us, too.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708022607046379611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post-12984027794466967192010-11-09T20:26:22.742-07:002010-11-09T20:26:22.742-07:00Katie -- EVERY TIME I pass a book store or go by t...Katie -- EVERY TIME I pass a book store or go by the bookracks at the grocery store (the latter, saddly, much more the frequent locus for my literary perusals than anywhere else), I picture what the jacket design might be like when I finally have a work there. And any time you want a reader, just let me know.Joseph Centerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00090686611405364311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post-64083800252231682502010-11-09T20:24:29.525-07:002010-11-09T20:24:29.525-07:00I've never had a hard time with worrying that ...I've never had a hard time with worrying that all the great books have already been written, because the majority of what I read is contemporary, and there's always something new. What I have a hard time understanding is how people not only find a way to do something new (not the hardest of things) but do it with greatness and gain recognition for it. I don't know why I so crave publication.... Maybe it's a hunger for validation.<br /><br />Aside from that, I was NOT ascribing anyone who does happen to read what I write here "practically no one;" I consider you--James and Katie, and any of the silent others--more highly than perhaps you will ever know (and I'm not calling you stupid or short-sighted either :) ).Joseph Centerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00090686611405364311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post-2377555508093064872010-11-09T18:58:36.653-07:002010-11-09T18:58:36.653-07:00*At least I can't not think that. It gets har...*At least I can't not think that. It gets hard with all the double-negatives; good advice to stay away from them!Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708022607046379611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post-3315050127064524012010-11-09T18:57:32.292-07:002010-11-09T18:57:32.292-07:00It hurts to be called, "practically no one.&q...It hurts to be called, "practically no one." Although I do live in a basement and work toward a degree specializing in arguing over the political theory of wars that were fought hundreds and sometimes thousands of years ago, so maybe you're right.<br /><br />I feel the same way. The worst is sometimes (and this might just be because I read so many of the classics, but I doubt it), I read a book and it's so great that somehow I feel as though all the great books have already been written. I know it's not true, but you can't read the "Lord of the Rings" and not think, "Nothing like this will ever be written again." At least I can't think that. It's a bit like I feel politically about the founding fathers and Abraham Lincoln; there's nothing any modern politician could do to ever match that. But then, Lincoln as a youth also believed that HE could never match the founders. So I like to think that there is a little greatness left in us, whether it's writing, politics, or any field, even if it's tucked away in the back closet of the mind and is hidden under some old, wrinkled clothes.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708022607046379611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post-13009520563315072482010-11-09T18:31:42.140-07:002010-11-09T18:31:42.140-07:00p.s. i have some of the same aspirations. i'd ...p.s. i have some of the same aspirations. i'd love to be published, too. i would never dream or dare to hope to be as symbolic and important to literature as steinbeck or tolkien or lewis carroll but maybe someday i'll see a little display in the window of barnes & noble highlighting my work. maybe someday.kcbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11455254101425936912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395948500312534280.post-5928025366944364782010-11-09T18:29:50.976-07:002010-11-09T18:29:50.976-07:00brother--i think this is one of your best blog pos...brother--i think this is one of your best blog posts yet. even if i didn't know you, i think i could read between the lines and feel your passion for writing. it's powerful. keep practicing. who knows when your lucky break will be. i'm cheering for you! SOMEONE in the family needs to be published, for crying out loud.kcbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11455254101425936912noreply@blogger.com