I had the great pleasure of paneling with Richard Bausch – who is not only a wonderful writer, but also a kind and generous one – at the AWP conference last weekend. I dug out this quote from an interview of him in The Atlantic:
“I don’t teach writing — I teach living this life, contending with the possibilities and limitations in words, appreciating this blessed occupation. I teach being willing to accept failure as a part of your destiny, and learning to concentrate on each day’s work. Just showing up for work in the days. ” – Richard Bausch
The many things we as a panel talked about – on the dais as well as over dinner the night before and breakfast the morning of the panel – was the difference between published writers and unpublished ones: stubborn belief in your work far beyond the time any rational person would have given up, and a little luck. – Meg
