The classic, most frequent and most shared drama among writers is the desperate longing for freedom, which is hindered by the impossibility of achieving it through writing. That is to say: the awareness of the sense of mission, the burning desire to achieve it, but the natural and characteristic obstacle of the profession, which can only be exercised with complete dedication with a lot of luck or hard work. There is no escaping this fate, but perhaps thanks to it, writing still endures today as an authentic vocation.
This Instinctive Repulsion…
This instinctive repulsion, this irrational dislike of something or someone, often proves to be more reasonable than the most meticulous reasoning. It is very curious to have this manifestation, perhaps motivated by the most atavistic survival instinct, which generates a warning about what there is no reason to be suspicious of. And then, over and over again, follow it to later relieve the mistake not made—and be impressed by this mysterious ability…
The History of Literature Resembles a Pendulum
The history of literature resembles a pendulum that sometimes swings towards the new and sometimes back towards the old. The first movement is preceded by boredom with the old forms, the old models and the old rules, while the second occurs after realizing that the new creation is worse than the old practice, which now seems as beautiful and rich as ever. In both impulses, there is something sincere and something unreasonable. Literature is always renewed and, if great, it is never created from scratch.
Most of the Obstacles to Creation…
Most of the obstacles to creation are overcome the moment inertia is broken; from then on, the work is more about correcting, perfecting than actually creating—or so it seems, which is the same for the working mind. The movement, once started, gives a fluidity that induces, if not automates the sequence, making it absolutely easier to continue, compared to that dreadful beginning. It is therefore about forcing the start, so that it will be never allowed to be swallowed up by inertia.