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
amazing humble demeanor. his unshakeable persistence and talent finally won out.
Yes Beth. And he still keeps after it. Inspiring…
I recognise the feeling and sentiment. Each piece of writing, each painting in my case – is like starting from the beginning again!
Yes. Exactly Rebecca.
And his statement applies to so many endeavors, art, writing, professional goals etc.
Wow great and such a wonderful looking person too. Great post, David.
Yes!
Hmmm
32 books!?! 👏 Amazing effort and persistence.
Agree….Yes, incredible…
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!
All you Lori!
Would that insecurity and persistence only go hand in hand with writing…I kinda live this daily!😉
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.
C’est moi
He has a nice smile too! Love those shining eyes 😊
And those early writing rejections…always a surprise. Interesting.
Isn’t that something. What perseverance…
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…
PLEASE Christie. Laughing! This man is huge, an inspiration…
as are you 🙂 and you are both humble…
Smiling.
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.
I haven’t Valerie, I will be sure to add it to my wish list. Thanks for the reference.
Great collaboration, you two.
All Lori. But thanks.