"You can't watch your own image and also look yourself in the eye.

[greygirlbeast]

You know what? I'm really fucking sick to death of trying to impress people - editors, reviewers, readers, et al. I've been trying since 1992 to impress people, most of whom I do not even know and never will know. And I'm done with it. It's been twenty-five years, and if I haven't managed it yet, it's never going to happen. Whatever this next novel

Comments

[ext_3285138]

Good for you. Forget pleasing people, it's a no-win game. Write whatever the hell you want.

[sovay]

Whatever this next novel is going to be, it's nothing that's meant to impress anyone, except maybe me. I'm finished playing the game.

I think this is an excellent plan.

Also, very good title quote.

letting go

[mallory_blog]

Congratulations.

Part of how an individual takes on personal power is by letting go of attempts to align with power structures such as publishers. In the end your work is all about you having something to say as a writer, it's really not about your work pleasing strangers or being a good product/vehicle even if the product is a perspective or argument about specific ideas or issues. Once you let go you may discover a new freedom to reach deeper, go further, rise higher and escape the boundaries of the constraints of publishing authority. Again, congratulations!!!

[whiskeychick]

I think that's exactly the mode from which any artist should work from. You please yourself. Just be careful of that perfectionist that lurks in all of us. Hoping outside gives you some peace so you can do what you need to do to take care of you and yours.

"You can't save your ass and your face at the same time"

[faffinz]

"If you gotta play at garden parties
I wish you a lotta luck
But if memories were all I sang
I'd rather drive a truck

But it's all right now,
I've learned my lesson well
You see, you can't please everyone,
so you've got to please yourself"