first fiction, eternal envy

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Every year I read Poets & Writers Magazine’s “First Fiction” article (a profile of a half dozen debut writers) and writhe with envy and inspiration the whole way through. This advice from debut novelist Salvatore Scibona, one of this year’s featured writers, helped to put things in perspective:

School the internal critic in all the dark arts of editorial sadism, but ignore it when it attacks you personally. It likes to pretend that it’s the coolest, most professional guy in the room. In fact, it is a cynic and a savage.

I was also glad to see that fellow writer and blogger Jesi has been thinking similarly.

Comments

Unknown said…
that is a wonderful quote.
June 27, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Laura and the family said…
Don't we all need advice from someone's else? Apparently, it is a wonderful quote and leaves you pondering.
June 28, 2008 at 7:40 AM
Cheryl said…
It's good for those of us who are too hard on ourselves, which is most of us. Of course there are a few people who never suffer from a lack of confidence, but should.
June 30, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Jesi said…
thanks for making me famous! hahaha!
July 1, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Cheryl said…
See, you're a success! :-)
July 1, 2008 at 1:41 PM
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