JOLLY DAYS

Walter Mosley on Writing

The terror of creating art is the emptiness before you. The canvas, the piece of paper on which your novel begins, your symphony reveals its first resonance — in the beginning there was a nascent possibility. Writer Walter Mosley was on NPR talking about his book of advice to writers, which seems to recommend just writing. That is old advice — because it is wise. Years ago a writer named Peter Elbow wrote a book which principally recommended writing fast. Dive deep, past the caviling demons into your richer self.

Why advice to just make sure you write everyday, as Mosley advises, or do it fast? Because of the terror of the void, and the promise of release.