'I love to have written'

I'm always intrigued to read or hear about how other writers work.

One common denominator is that writing is, indeed, work.

So when I run across a piece about how others struggle to write, I usually dive right in.

Such was the case with University of Texas Journalism professor Marvin Olasky’s recent column “DQ country: in World Magazine. http://www.worldmag.com/marvinolasky/olasky.cfm?id=18673

He wrote about a new attribute for humans — Determination Quotient — and he tied it to writing.

His column contained quotes from folks with an idea about how hard writing is:

Tom Clancy: “Writing is most of all an exercise in determination."

Michael Crichton: “Books aren’t written. They are rewritten."

James Michener: “I’m not a very good writer, but an excellent rewriter."

Alex Kotlowitz, after his first draft: "I go back and rewrite, scene by scene, detail by detail."

To these, I’ll add my own favorites:

Red Smith: "There is nothing to writing. All you have to do is sit down at the typewriter and just open a vein."

But my all-time favorite is attributed to playwright/screenwriter Michael Kanin: "I don't like to write, but I love to have written."

That last part is what keeps the next writing project coming.