Happy Birthday, Christopher Frizzelle! Mine was on Saturday. So, no I don't believe her. I thought her response was 'Why the hell are you asking this dumb question' and her answer was a tad facetious:
"I write the title page, and then I write the rest." If, in fact, she did NOT do revisions, then I have two contradictory gut responses:
1. I wonder how much better would this novel have been if she had done revisions OR
2. don't mess with perfection.
Just think. You (speaking collectively to the reading audience members who are also writers) might have written the great American Novel and revised it to mediocrity.
The idea that she really means "why the hell are you asking this dumb question" makes me so happy. And it reminds me of that thing she said that Brian repeated in book club: that "the language of savage ridicule is the only honorable weapon we have left."
I think about that thing you mention all the time — when good writing gets overthought and revised out of greatness. I have been guilty of it myself.
Happy birthday to you, and welcome to the September baby club. I realized one day at the Stranger that like 1/3rd of us editorial staffers were Sept/Oct babies...
Of course! (See my chat about the podcast lol.) And I think you wished me a hbd last week when I fished for Substack birthday greetings (sad by posting that day. Very sad).
Happy Birthday! My birthday was Saturday. I don't believe Ms. Spark intended her response literally. I think she was speaking somewhat facetiously, i.e., "What? Me? Do revisions? NEVER. I write the title, my name and then dash off the book in a few minutes." At least I hope so. If not, well, then the lesson to take from that is 'Don't mess with perfection'. Just think: any one of you writers out there could have written the perfect American novel and then revised it to hell.
Happy Birthday, Christopher Frizzelle! Mine was on Saturday. So, no I don't believe her. I thought her response was 'Why the hell are you asking this dumb question' and her answer was a tad facetious:
"I write the title page, and then I write the rest." If, in fact, she did NOT do revisions, then I have two contradictory gut responses:
1. I wonder how much better would this novel have been if she had done revisions OR
2. don't mess with perfection.
Just think. You (speaking collectively to the reading audience members who are also writers) might have written the great American Novel and revised it to mediocrity.
The idea that she really means "why the hell are you asking this dumb question" makes me so happy. And it reminds me of that thing she said that Brian repeated in book club: that "the language of savage ridicule is the only honorable weapon we have left."
I think about that thing you mention all the time — when good writing gets overthought and revised out of greatness. I have been guilty of it myself.
Happy birthday to you, and welcome to the September baby club. I realized one day at the Stranger that like 1/3rd of us editorial staffers were Sept/Oct babies...
So is she kidding?
Happy birthday! Do you still do the costumes ?
Maybe she's not kidding. Maybe her novels were dictated to her directly from God...
I suppose some people can write without needing 38,761 revisions — but not me! How bout you?
Hell no
Happy Birthday from us! Tank is still dancing 🕺 for you😻
😻
Happy birthday!
thank you!
Virgos rule.
SOMEONE has to rule the world and be perfect, you know? 😜 Are you a Virgo too?
Of course! (See my chat about the podcast lol.) And I think you wished me a hbd last week when I fished for Substack birthday greetings (sad by posting that day. Very sad).
Oh right!!! Wow, how did I already forget that. Guess I’ll have to revise that statement about being perfect lol
Human Virgos are the best Virgos. My husband (hardcore Virgo) accuses me of being a fake Virgo because I am messy. It’s the Leo rising I guess.
Happy Birthday! My birthday was Saturday. I don't believe Ms. Spark intended her response literally. I think she was speaking somewhat facetiously, i.e., "What? Me? Do revisions? NEVER. I write the title, my name and then dash off the book in a few minutes." At least I hope so. If not, well, then the lesson to take from that is 'Don't mess with perfection'. Just think: any one of you writers out there could have written the perfect American novel and then revised it to hell.