Warning - Rant Ahead.
This was written in 2010 before I had any books published. Did I stick to my guns?
I D O N
O T
I do not aspire to be
the next Bruce Courtney. I do not aspire to be the next Di Morrissey. I do not
aspire to be like Matthew Reilly. I don't aspire to be the next Dan Brown. Or
Stephen King (even though I like his early books). Or Stephanie Myer, (God
Forbid) or any other mainstream populist novelist.
They are the
entertainers of their day and that is their right. They are the circus come to
town. They are clowns in paint and frivolity. The court jesters in rhyme and
folly.
But they will not be
worth a word beyond their time. Their work will be forgotten as quickly as it
was consumed. The McDonalds of Publishing.
I aspire to create
something that is worthwhile, that I can be proud of. That perhaps can be
admired by a few, and that's all I'm after, as long as it has some merit. Who
wants to leave this world knowing what they did and left behind was disposable,
as disposable as the day they created it?
Gone. Forgotten.
Yesterday's story.
It's like an architect
who wants their work to be respected in decades hence, rather than a kit home
than will only suffice. For Now.
Sure we might need
them. The masses have to be entertained somehow. But just don't justify it to
me. Don't tell me your worth more than the literary sect, because you sell the
most. Or that they really want to be like you, but can't do it. You're totally
misguided. You're only kidding yourselves. Bubble gum. Burger. Coke. Takeaway
coffee. Daily newspaper.
 |
| Circa 2009 |
They claim that their
mass appeal gives them worthiness. That numbers speak higher than critics. And
it may provide them the means with which to exist comfortably. But we all meet
in the same place in the end, and I'd rather have left something worth savouring,
perhaps kept in a dusty bookcase or drawer somewhere, or even relegated to some
digital archive as something perhaps worth reviewing to some future individual,
than end up as recycled pulp for next year's toilet paper.
History has taught us
that these mainstream diatribes do not survive. I'll take my chances. For I
must be able to hold my head high, that I wrote to satisfy art, and to satisfy
myself, than to satisfy the masses. I cannot think of a crime more heinous, than
a person with artistic qualities, however minute, who shelved them in pursuit
of something far more shallow. That is a crime that one cannot return from.
I'd rather die in
obscurity that aim for the so called Bestseller List. I will never be there.
I'll make sure of it. If by some absurd situation, I do, then I have failed.
12/5/2010
 |
| Pen is mightier ... Around 2010 |
Bit harsh on Stephen King. I love his books. He'll be remembered for a long time.
I certainly had a lot of confidence then, even arrogance perhaps. Maybe that's what was required in order to get to the point where books could be written and published. It took a lot of drive and work.
Since then I have had nine books published, from 2012 - 2022. If you've read any of them, maybe you will know if I stuck to the ideals of that idealistic, determined writer. Did I?
Bottomless River - Novella
Caged Without Walls - Poetry Collection
For your pleasure - Poems and art coffee table book (collaboration with Paolo Rassu)
Pseudo Stars - Story Collection
Allowing a love to die is not murder - Poetry Collection (on relationships)
A Refugee's Rage - Novella
Lone Wolf World - Novel
Perve - Novel
Us & Them and the things in-between - Story/Poetry Collection
(This post, July 2024).
Questions for now;
Have I lost my drive? Yes. Much of it is due to anti-depressant withdrawal. My story here. It's robbed me of my confidence.
Will I ever write another book? I don't know. Not in the near future.
Do I have books ready to be published? Yes
Will I publish them? I don't know. Maybe one or two but not all.
Does anyone care? Probably not haha.
If you have read any though, I would be interested in your opinion.
My Books HERE
or try these Amazon Author links.
Amazon Profile 1
Amazon Profile 2
Until next time,
Peace
Anthony
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