Coal mining is hard work. This is a nightmare....There's a tremendous uncertainty that's built into the profession, a sustained level of doubt that supports you in some way. A good doctor isn't in a battle with his work; a good writer is locked in a battle with his work. In most professions there's a beginning, middle, and an end. With writing, it's always beginning again. Temperamentally, we need that newness. There is a lot of repetition in the work. In fact, one skill that every writer needs is the ability to sit still in this deeply uneventful business. - Philip Roth
Coal mining is a challenging profession marked by physical labor and uncertainty, unlike occupations where tasks have a clear structure. In contrast, writing is described as an ongoing struggle, with writers continuously starting anew. While some professions offer a definitive progression, writing is characterized by its cyclical nature, requiring writers to embrace a sense of renewal with each project.
Philip Roth emphasizes that not only do writers face repetition and monotony, but they must also cultivate patience in an often uneventful process. This need for resilience and adaptability is crucial to navigate the challenges inherent in creative work, where the act of writing itself becomes a relentless journey of exploration and reinvention.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
