Whenever he saw his books in a store, he felt like he'd gotten away with something, said John Updike. Who also expressed the opinion that a nice person wouldn't become a writer. The problem of self-doubt. The problem of shame. The problem of self-loathing. You once put it like this: When I get so fed up with something I'm writing that I decide to quit, and then, later, I find myself irresistibly drawn back to it, I always think: Like a dog to its vomit.
John Updike reflected on the unique feelings a writer experiences, particularly the thrill of seeing their work in stores, akin to a secret pleasure. He suggested that the traits of a 'nice' person often clash with the nature of a writer, pointing to deeper issues such as self-doubt and shame that plague many authors. This dilemma highlights the struggle between ambition and personal demons, ultimately shaping the writer's journey.
In her...
