It ought to be as simple as this: one word leading to another, one word following the word before it. But it’s not that simple and very far from easy.
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| Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian |
I read an article today that puts my angst, uncertainty and lack of progress into proper perspective. The Guardian interviewed Nadine Gordimer here. She’s 87 years old, has written (perhaps I mean has been published) for close to 60 years. The New Yorker first published one of her short stories in 1951. That’s six years before I was born.
Nadine Gordimer writes for four hours every morning. Maybe there’s a lesson there Douglas. It’s the same as always: ditch the ego; just write. Make sure you do it every day
I know this, of course. I’ve known it since I can’t remember when. But I lack the discipline required. I’ve never acquired it. I’m too lazy to dig myself out the hole into which I plunged a very long time ago.
So here’s another beginning, another re-commitment. Don’t I get tired of them? Well yes, of course I do. So what is it makes me keep coming back I wonder? I may be delusional. Vanity certainly has a part to play. And an ego the size of Belgium; there’s always that.
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