12th July 2016 | for Creatives | artist integrity, writing, protect the art, ideas, feedback/criticism/rejection, Barbara Poelle |
"I want anyone who has ever had an idea shot down by a supposed authority to take heed. I have to say, my gasted is totally flabbered that anyone would dissuade a student from pursuing something based on an idea alone."
"You've got to protect your voice and your vision from everybody, really. Even the best-intentioned editors. And I mean, I love my editor; I've been with Vicky Wilson for over 35 years. She's wonderful, and her remarks on the finished manuscript are always terrific. But I don't go to her to discuss a germinating idea."
"I think that most people who take offense are offended because they confuse the target of the joke with the subject of a joke. If you deal in taboo subjects—which I do, for a very good reason—just to bring up any subject that makes them feel comfortable and they straightaway assume it is 'wrong.' Well, it's not wrong. 'You haven't listened to the joke,' you know? People say to me, 'Is there anything you shouldn't joke about?' The answer is, 'No, it depends on what the joke is.' They wouldn't ask you, 'Is there anything you wouldn't write about?' You'd go, 'No, I could write about anything. It's what you say that counts.' Exactly. And the same with a comedian. You can joke about anything. It depends what the joke is and what side you come down on, where you land, you know?"
"You have to give yourself permission, say to yourself, 'I'm not foolish for wanting this.' All writers have to fight the same fight. I have to write 2,000 words today, no matter what. That's my discipline, and that's me protecting the work."
"No matter where you are in your career, whether you're published, unpublished or just starting out, walk through the world as a writer. That's who you are, and that's what you want to be, and don't take any guff off anybody."
"I was discouraged very early in my college years by people who told me I wasn't a real writer because I didn't write every day. Things like that should not be said. And anybody who says anything to you like that, you have to ignore them. You know, there are no rules."
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