I fret about any piece of writing I get into, because nothing you do in the past is going to do the next thing, even when you’re in your 80s.
I would never sit down and think I was about to turn out something good.
Quite the opposite.
~ John McPhee, “What I Think: John McPhee” (Princeton University, September 17, 2017)
John McPhee, 86, received the Pulitzer Prize for his book “Annals of the Former World” in 1999. In the same year, McPhee received the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching from Princeton. He was rejected by The New Yorker for 15 years and eventually became a staff writer for The New Yorker for over 50 years, where much of the content of his 32 books originally appeared.
Notes:
- Source: Lori Ferguson – Princeton Grad. Word magician. Writer extraordinaire. Thank you for sharing this inspiration interview.
- Portrait of John McPhee from Longreads
Live & Learn 
amazing humble demeanor. his unshakeable persistence and talent finally won out.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes Beth. And he still keeps after it. Inspiring…
LikeLike
I recognise the feeling and sentiment. Each piece of writing, each painting in my case – is like starting from the beginning again!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes. Exactly Rebecca.
LikeLike
And his statement applies to so many endeavors, art, writing, professional goals etc.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow great and such a wonderful looking person too. Great post, David.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLike
Hmmm
LikeLiked by 1 person
32 books!?! 👏 Amazing effort and persistence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree….Yes, incredible…
LikeLiked by 1 person
A veritable force of nature. I never cease to marvel at his commitment to his craft or his humility. Truly an inspiration. So glad that you enjoyed the piece as much as I did, DK!
LikeLiked by 2 people
All you Lori!
LikeLike
Would that insecurity and persistence only go hand in hand with writing…I kinda live this daily!😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Laughing. You make me laugh. I can see the thought cross your mind, run down your arm, and to your fingers, on the keyboard and SEND.
LikeLike
C’est moi
LikeLiked by 1 person
He has a nice smile too! Love those shining eyes 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
And those early writing rejections…always a surprise. Interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that something. What perseverance…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the Joy on his face…interesting advice ” eventually became a staff writer for The New Yorker for over 50 years, where much of the content of his 32 books originally appeared.” – so I say Dave, like others have suggested, too – your content for your book is here in your blog already, written…
LikeLiked by 1 person
PLEASE Christie. Laughing! This man is huge, an inspiration…
LikeLike
as are you 🙂 and you are both humble…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Smiling.
LikeLike
Has anyone read McPhee’s THE PINE BARRENS? I’m in central New Jersey, and this area is about an hour east of me. He is given credit for “saving” it–you know how we Americans seem to abhor unspoiled land! He’s such a natural, easy to read writer. Thanks for this, David–just picked up my old copy to look at again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t Valerie, I will be sure to add it to my wish list. Thanks for the reference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great collaboration, you two.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All Lori. But thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person