When I was 25 I was sad I had not written The Great American Novel. At 55, I realize there's no Great American Novel, there are merely the stories I'm the best person to tell. Don't worry about how others see greatness. Work on being the best version of who you are and what you can do in the world.
Reposted from
luna
people over 30 quote this with some life advice for the rest of us?
Comments
Having said that, Of Mice And Men is ironically probably a better title for Flowers for Algernon.
At least a few of them are yours 😜💜
Somewhere between my piles of notes for things to write about & pile of first rough drafts..
It's about you Mr. John...
And if you're American
That is what makes it a great American novel
But it starts w/you...
Nagual's late afternoon musings....
I followed you cause I like your shit
Enough said...
There that's the first paragraph to my great novel..
I’ve never submitted a manuscript.
Now I’m 32 and quietly plugging away at a novel that’s personal and I quite like. Maybe one day someone will read it.
Your definition of success changes.
The essence of a great leader is in their self-respect and the respect they have for other people, especially the vunerable, aged, and children.
Fine art is successful when everyone who looks @ it can project their own stories/ideas into it.
At some point you just have to do u and allow people to respond how they will.
By that measure, much of Gary Larson’s Far Side is fine art ;)
“i want my novel to define all other American novels”
shut up man; just tell your stories
Don't dream, do. Don't dwell on failures. Do.
Not "you can be whatever you put your mind to"
What a cruel lie to tell children
Of Mice and Men sucked, though.
Sue me, literary bitches.
Learned more, tried again in my early 20s. Failed to finish.
Here I am, pushing 50, and I know I can finish. I have finished. I will finish some more.
My batshit ideas make me me.
not a novel about a bunch of high society dipshits
It's a great thing to strive for, but creating works that provide personal fulfillment rather than works that please the critics is arguably a road to a happier, more complete, life.
I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest. The course of true love never did run smooth. I would not wish any companion in the world but you. I know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to say 'I love you'.
Much Ado About Nothing – Act 4, Scene 1
I do love On Writing too.
If there is I am pretty sure I’ve read a lot more of yours.
See also: Dickens, Charles.
Us mere mortals need to listen to this. We are all important. Even if our names will never be spoken our lives are still important.
How did that guy go from riding these really descriptive awesome novels to just calling people names .
I have evolved beyond him that’s wild
Tom Keefer got one for his Great American Novel ;)