On Thursday 27 December 2001 23:15, Liz wrote:
> Of course I wouldnt mind having to work _less_ at my teaching, or find
> some other more flexible way of working, since it is exhausting and leaves
> me so little time when I am able to work productively. But still yes, I
> think that being a freelance writer, or an institution writer can be a bit
> of a trap. The most exhausted and frustrated writers I know are people who
> are doing just that. And they are always trying to persuade me to join
> them, arguing that I would write 'more'.
When I was working full time in community responses to HIV/AIDS and injecting
drug use (very hectic) I actually was able to get some good ideas together
and got some way into a new poetry collection. Then I became chronically ill
and everything fell apart, especially my writing projects. Right now I live
on the dole and can write full time if health permitted. I find that I don't
as ideas still take some time to work their way out of me. I still need
something else so have started working towards a PhD in writing in the
communication and media area and find this works, for now. I actually am
thinking of teaching! But yes, the demands being placed on employees even if
you have professional quals seems today to be excessive. A sixty hour week
for lousy pay is becoming the norm. So maybe I have struck gold by being able
to spend some time not working and concentrating on writing. Illness as a
gift from the goddess or as Nietzsche would say: a free spirit.
The excerpts I picked weren't really thought out, actually. I wanted to keep
it short. The whole interview i found very interesting. I love reading what
writers say about their writing procedures, especially writers who think
carefully about it.
best, Chris Jones.
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