Roth on Writing
Two years after he announced his retirement, Philip Roth is still relishing not having to write.
"Everybody has a hard job," he told The New York Times Book Review. "All real work is hard. My work happened also to be undoable. Morning after morning for 50 years, I faced the next page defenceless and unprepared. Obstinacy, not talent, saved my life. It was also my good luck that happiness didn't matter to me and I had no compassion for myself."
Now finally, aged 81, he is tasting freedom. "Now I am a bird sprung from a cage. It is now truly a great relief, something close to a sublime experience, to have nothing more to worry about than death."
Writing's been a big part of my life, too - and some of the best highs I've had have come through it. I'm compelled to do it. But much of the time, I find it a slog.
So... it's actually quite nice to be taking a holiday from it for a while!
Probably necessary, too.
I don't care much for Stephen King's doctrine 'Writers write.' I mainly think that more and more (as in his case) often adds up to less and less.
Enjoy your retirement, Mr Roth!
Hello Stan. Unless I am mistaken the last time time you announced your retirement from writing you lasted one day. I'm sure your intentions were heartfelt at the time. Have a good Easter Elsie
Hi Elsie,
Haha... not retirement yet! Just a rest. Haven't written so much as shopping list in the last week and I'm not missing it one bit so far!
Happy Easter to you, too. Ahh... chocolate eggs....