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I've heard of many writers - fiction, non-fiction, poets, all types - who do rewrite things again and again. I don't see why that wouldn't make them a writer.
If anything, it seems the desire to improve a piece is a desirable trait.
I /strongly/ disagree with this. If you cannot revise, and have no stomach for it, then don't do it.
First drafts are garbage; always.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Funny, I don't find his writing sloppy and unconsidered at all. His sense of style is so clearly defined, that I think I can come across a poem or story of his that I hadn't read before and recognize it as his work.
Maybe I should read more Bukowski. Have you any recommendations?
My favorite poetry collection is "Burning in water, drowning in flame", but most of the poems are thematically and stylistically aligned.
He also wrote a ton of short stories, mostly dark and crass. They are all quite short, so literally take your pick with those.
I like the novels above the other stuff personally.
Bukoski goes well with Philip K Dick. The portrait they paint of 1950s and 1960s America (even if accidentally) is truly dystopian, a world of wild-eyed amphetamine addicts and self-destructive alcoholics wrapped up in the social norms of their day. It's really some of the most depressing literature out there, and almost none of the characters in their works are even vaguely likable or admirable. It's probably 'good…
Bukowski was an eccentric guy and often he used to contradict himself. This poem seems to encompass his life philosophy and which also happens to be written on his tombstone in just two words: "Don't try" However, in his another poem, Roll the Dice, he presents something entirely different outlook on the subject of trying. And this is a poem I really admire. ROLL THE DICE ------------- If you’re going to try, go all…
This poet is fantastically narrated in this youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNo8EFRwvus (BTW it's better without the associated montage of video clips IMO, just switch to a different tab and listen to the audio alone).
Would love to replace writer with programmer and get back to that point in my life.
They are uhh pretty different. Code is not bursting out of me like a ray of sunshine or whatever, but it pays the bills and that is fulfilling enough.
Apparently Douglas Adams found it very difficult to write. According to the biography by Neil Gaiman it was almost painful for him, every book or manuscript a chore. I'm happy he didn't follow the advice from Bukowski to just give up! Bukowskis poem seem to represent the romantic idea that art is divinely inspired and the artist is just a vessel. Maybe it really felt like that for Bokowski, while for others writing i…
Well, Adams books appear that way too. The writing is very contrived and stiff (even as comedic writing) - so it's all about the jokes. They're still great jokes and funny characters, but what's left as the strongest impression is them, not the writing flow, turn of phrase, or even plot. I mean that in the same sense a movie like Airplane! is just about stringing jokes together, and has no deeper plot or "cinematic"…
Apparently Douglas Adams found it very difficult to write. According to the biography by Neil Gaiman it was almost painful for him, every book or manuscript a chore. I'm happy he didn't follow the advice from Bukowski to just give up! Bukowskis poem seem to represent the romantic idea that art is divinely inspired and the artist is just a vessel. Maybe it really felt like that for Bokowski, while for others writing i…
As an author of many years and thousands of pages, I can relate to this. There is an oft misattributed quote on the matter, "I hate to write, but I love having written." In my case "hate" is too strong a verb, I merely find it exhausting. And yet somehow I wish I had more time to do it.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I guess we lost that sense in modern life. But we used to be more acquainted to risks and venture before. Nowadays we can't think about risks precisely because we don't know our limits.
> But we used to be more acquainted to risks and venture before. I think it was so because the regular life had very little to offer. I mean, I would probably try my luck on a pirate ship, if the alternative was back-breaking work and being hungry half of the time. But nowadays, why take risks, when there's a regular coding job is a sure path to tons of comfort and pleasure?
Apparently Douglas Adams found it very difficult to write. According to the biography by Neil Gaiman it was almost painful for him, every book or manuscript a chore. I'm happy he didn't follow the advice from Bukowski to just give up! Bukowskis poem seem to represent the romantic idea that art is divinely inspired and the artist is just a vessel. Maybe it really felt like that for Bokowski, while for others writing i…
Well, Adams books appear that way too. The writing is very contrived and stiff (even as comedic writing) - so it's all about the jokes. They're still great jokes and funny characters, but what's left as the strongest impression is them, not the writing flow, turn of phrase, or even plot. I mean that in the same sense a movie like Airplane! is just about stringing jokes together, and has no deeper plot or "cinematic"…
Although I do think it's a bit harsh to call his writing contrived or stiff, I did get a sort-of similar vibe of "individual moments stringed along" when I first read his books.
I do disagree when it comes to overall themes. Granted, he was not the masterful storyteller along the lines of Terry Pratchett, but I do think he nailed some of the general sci-fi satire points.
I like Adams, Pratchett and Gaiman separately (see comments by others for context). Perhaps my fondness for Adams is that I discovered him first.