ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT INTERVIEW ON TITANIC

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Writers with Writers

I don't often get together with other writers. But sometimes I go to events for writers with writers and it is always a bit disconcerting to see someone just like yourself saying the same things you say day after day. Being in the same room with a bunch of writers is like being in a space capsule with not enough air. All the oxygen gets sucked up. And that is because writers suck in a lot and put out very little. How would you like to be in a house of people looking out the windows with no one opening the door and saying come on  in. Matter of fact the door is locked.

And then add to that writers are insecure. Who wouldn't be? Countless days of toil by oneself with very little coming back. Taunted by an Internet that holds up fabulously successful writers hourly and makes scribbling that much harder. And now you emerge and bump into yourself. And you both talk about your books and your writing and you wonder if you sound that stupid. The answer is yes. But you plow on because there might be something to learn and and so you continue blathering reminding yourself to ask what the other person writes. They are a writer after all.

And then there are the moments where you have nothing to say and you both want to go back to your respective garrets and continue on with the real work. But you forge on and gradually after a few drinks the shields come down and slowly everyone becomes people again and the writer leans back and you actually have a good time and learn a few things. And that is about as good as it gets for writers with writers.

And then it is over and you are glad you came. What do you know you think walking for the train. Writers aren't really such bad people after all.

www.williamhazelgrove.com
The Pitcher

Books by William Hazelgrove