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>I believe there's a quote somewhere in Stranger in a Strange Land, where Jubal Harshaw comments that an author doesn't write because he can, or likes to, or be
by divia 18y ago
>I believe there's a quote somewhere in Stranger in a Strange Land, where Jubal Harshaw comments that an author doesn't write because he can, or likes to, or because it's the best way to pay the bills–many can't, few do, and it usually isn't. It's just something that must be done, like breathing or defecating, and it's about as glamorous.
I'd be interested to know which passage you mean. I've read that book many more times than is really necessary and I can't remember Jubal saying that. The closest I can think of is a passage where he says "I want praise from the customer, given in cash because I've reached him--or I don't want anything."
- IsaacSchlueter 18y agoI could be thinking of one of Heinlein's other books, or even just something he said randomly. I've read a lot of his stuff, and it all starts to blur together. If I come across it, I'll make a note of it.
- mct 18y agoThe protagonist in Heinlein's The Cat Who Walks Through Walls says something very similar near the beginning of the novel.
- divia 18y agoAh, yes. This: >"Yes, dear. Richard, do you enjoy writing?" >"No one enjoys writing." >[...] >"But you don't enjoy it and we don't need the money. Truly we don't!" >"Thank you, my love. But I did not explain to you the other insidious aspect of writing. There is no way to stop. Writers go on writing long after it becomes financially unnecessary...because it hurts less to write than it does not to write." Thanks!
- IsaacSchlueter 18y agoThanks, indeed! That's exactly the one I was thinking of.