Don’t Talk About Your Book While Writing It

Nick Ripatrazone has released a book that he’s happy to talk about, but he won’t talk about whatever book he may be writing presently. He was advised not to many years ago and has experienced the life-sucking force of talking about his work since.

“Publishing is not writing. Writing is what you do at midnight. Writing is what you do, as William H. Gass says, ‘to entertain a toothache.'”

I’m sure this is a truism, but I think it’s one I need to follow. Talking about my barely formed ideas lets the air out of them before they have a chance to float, and I’m full of momentarily promising ideas that haven’t taken flight.

But I’m sure some writers are able to talk about some stories or ideas they are working on without killing them. What’s been your experience? (via Prufrock News)

One thought on “Don’t Talk About Your Book While Writing It”

  1. I’ve adopted a policy of not talking about works in progress, except in the most general terms. I’m kind of superstitious about sharing specifics. I’m not sure I have good reason for the taboo. And when I say “talking about,” I mean publicly. I’ll talk privately with someone whose opinion I trust.

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