Ian Hocking, an excellent writer, who's had the representation of a respected agent for over four years, has recently come to the difficult decision to give up on fiction writing.
Lots of writers--and lots who are far less talented or technically proficient storytellers than Ian--say they cannot live without writing. That it makes them sad or puts them into emotional turmoil. I'm not one of those sort of writers. I can see myself coming to a point where I could give up on serious fiction writing as Ian has done, if I don't taste that success. I can see other aspects of my life positively benefiting from this, both family and social life, and at work, but for now I will keep on keeping on. But I completely understand where Ian is coming from.
Rather than telling him he's doing the wrong thing, or that he's a quitter, I hope other writers can recognise the amount of soul searching this decision will have taken, and realise too that it's the cut of the pack that has meant Ian hasn't found a mainstream deal or a publisher to champion him, rather than a lack of talent or of interesting stories to tell. As well as being a talented writer, Ian has also done well--far better than most--in promoting his work, something that I know from personal that for someone with a level of integrity, as Ian no doubt has, can leave one feeling a little tawdry. But without this, he wouldn't have had reviews in national newspapers or blurbs from best-selling authors
Please do stop by and wish him well on this new start.
Saturday, 21 August 2010
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4 comments:
What a brave decision. I wish Ian lots of luck in the future.
I was truely saddened to read this blog entry, Aliya. It is a brave decision, and no one can quite share the pain. I wish Ian and all other writers who stand at the crossroad, the very best. I am a great optimist though. Anyone who can make such a complete decision, can change his/her mind when opportunity arises. Unlike pain, hope can always be shared.
Thanks for your kind words, Neil, and for your comment on my blog. You're right that there are certain benefits to retirement (I don't feel them right now, but I'm sure I will). To take writing seriously exacts a toll that has an impact on other parts of one's life, and, for me, it can't go on.
Sorry to hear that, Ian. It's a hard old game if you're not getting the breaks.
Nothing to stop you picking it up again in the future. You never lose the talent, and one day things will be better than this for writers.
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