" [...] good writers and bad writers, when they are talking about their art, sound remarkably the same. Their early struggles are the same. Their inner triumphs feel the same. The only way in which they differ is that the bad writers, once they get the initial breakthrough, usually make more money."
Hilary Mantel on Elizabeth Taylor's Angel in Writers as Readers: A Celebration of Virago Modern Classics.
And speaking of writers talking about their art, Edinburgh Book Festival tickets went on sale today.
It’s 2.26 am, couldn’t sleep, looked at your blog and read this post. For years I have loved the Virago Modern Classics (and their wonderful covers) and bought most of them as they came out in the 1980s. In these books I discovered Elizabeth Taylor and so many other writers. I’ve just ordered Writers as Readers, it’s a book I want to own rather than borrow from the library. Many thanks, Karen.
Posted by: Elizabeth Guster | 26 June 2018 at 06:04 PM
You're welcome, Elizabeth.
The piece immediately after Hilary Mantel on Angel is one by Elizabeth Taylor herself on 'setting a scene' - it's one of my most favourite so far.
Hope you managed to drop off eventually!
Posted by: Cornflower | 26 June 2018 at 06:54 PM
I've got a ticket to see Philip Hensher at the Book Festival. Looking forward to that as he's a favourite of mine.
Posted by: Claire | 29 June 2018 at 04:11 PM
Excellent.
Posted by: Cornflower | 29 June 2018 at 07:15 PM