Wendy Cope on writing and trying
Wendy Cope, speaking on BBC Radio 4′s Front Row programme:
I have long phases where I don’t write anything and almost forget that I’m a poet … I mean this sounds really pathetic, but I thought, what is it that stops me? And what stops me is that it’s so awful spending a whole morning or a whole day trying to write something, and it’s no good, it’s hopeless, and it’s so depressing, that it’s easier not to try. And I say to myself, this is pathetic, you’ve got to be a bit braver, and just not be afraid to try.
I think all writers can relate to that.
What’s reassuring is that no matter what stage of your writing career you are at, you will occasionally be scared to try. What’s scary is that no matter what stage of your writing career you are at, you will occasionally be scared to try.
I think the message here is as follows. Keep trying.
