Thank you for this. It makes me feel less alone and incompetent.
"My second point with regard to my fondness for Desmond and his book is that I feel like I recognize him. I recognize him as another writer who is largely self-educated and muddling through, finding success sheerly by way of reading others, typing out their work to see what it feels like, and by bloody-mindedly putting in the time. He doesn’t have an MFA, doesn’t have connections, and earns his money bartending and working in the restaurant industry². "
Just finished a listen this afternoon - excellent questions from Peter, thoughtfully elaborated answers from C. James. Thanks both for taking the time to collaborate in this way: Substack's a richer place for you both 👏
One question I had: what do you believe are the preconditions for an authentic life? Put another way: how do you each try to live one day-by-day, in a world which so often seems to reward posturing and artifice instead? Curious, since being honest and unflinching around hard themes and subject matter is a matter of deep principle for you both.
Eesh. Not throwing any softballs on the eve of my school year starting, Cam! I’m not sure exactly what an ‘authentic’ life is! We’re all compromised, all have our roles to play… I get a few quiet stretches of ‘authenticity’ a day or a week, maybe. I keep trying to be me, but there are all these pressures, man! It’s an ongoing process that can’t ever reach full and lasting completion, to my thinking. You, C James? You, Cameron?
Quiet time alone always ideal for connecting to that true self: perfect answer 😎 And 100% agree with the concept being more aspirational than attainable.
Lately I've been into using a rowing machine at my local gym. As an exercise, it manages to be both grindingly hard and meditative; I find it provides nice head-space during the day.
In striving for authenticity as a writer, I try to write dialogue in ways that's grammatically non-standard, sometimes phonetic, and which (hopefully) replicates the rhythm of a real person's speech and thought. I was always beguiled by vernacular dialogue as a reader, and still think it's a great way to establish a specific and relatable voice on the page.
Funny you mention the rowing machine—I’ve been hitting it to keep my upper back tightness at bay and can totally agree with the meditative effect. Maybe more so on the water one than the fan. Re: dialogue, the I’m working with giving characters more reigns to speak at length!
Love that - I find writing long passages of dialogue really entails a lot of active listening to characters, and in that way are so helpful in defining who they really are.
Just looked up water rowers on Google Images, and those bad boys look AMAZING 👀 👀 Hope my Y invests in some the next time they're buying equipment!
This interview provided me with context that only deepens my appreciation for his writing. His honesty terrifies and exhilarates me. Like everything he does, I appreciate this format as well. Thank you!
Hello good sir! Thanks for the comment. I’m out and about having a bit of a day taking care of stuff I don’t want to take care of, but do want to give you a good response to this later today!
Thank you for this. It makes me feel less alone and incompetent.
"My second point with regard to my fondness for Desmond and his book is that I feel like I recognize him. I recognize him as another writer who is largely self-educated and muddling through, finding success sheerly by way of reading others, typing out their work to see what it feels like, and by bloody-mindedly putting in the time. He doesn’t have an MFA, doesn’t have connections, and earns his money bartending and working in the restaurant industry². "
Great spotlight on an exciting writer Connor James Desmond.
Just finished a listen this afternoon - excellent questions from Peter, thoughtfully elaborated answers from C. James. Thanks both for taking the time to collaborate in this way: Substack's a richer place for you both 👏
One question I had: what do you believe are the preconditions for an authentic life? Put another way: how do you each try to live one day-by-day, in a world which so often seems to reward posturing and artifice instead? Curious, since being honest and unflinching around hard themes and subject matter is a matter of deep principle for you both.
Thanks again ✌️,
Cameron
Eesh. Not throwing any softballs on the eve of my school year starting, Cam! I’m not sure exactly what an ‘authentic’ life is! We’re all compromised, all have our roles to play… I get a few quiet stretches of ‘authenticity’ a day or a week, maybe. I keep trying to be me, but there are all these pressures, man! It’s an ongoing process that can’t ever reach full and lasting completion, to my thinking. You, C James? You, Cameron?
Quiet time alone always ideal for connecting to that true self: perfect answer 😎 And 100% agree with the concept being more aspirational than attainable.
Lately I've been into using a rowing machine at my local gym. As an exercise, it manages to be both grindingly hard and meditative; I find it provides nice head-space during the day.
In striving for authenticity as a writer, I try to write dialogue in ways that's grammatically non-standard, sometimes phonetic, and which (hopefully) replicates the rhythm of a real person's speech and thought. I was always beguiled by vernacular dialogue as a reader, and still think it's a great way to establish a specific and relatable voice on the page.
Funny you mention the rowing machine—I’ve been hitting it to keep my upper back tightness at bay and can totally agree with the meditative effect. Maybe more so on the water one than the fan. Re: dialogue, the I’m working with giving characters more reigns to speak at length!
Love that - I find writing long passages of dialogue really entails a lot of active listening to characters, and in that way are so helpful in defining who they really are.
Just looked up water rowers on Google Images, and those bad boys look AMAZING 👀 👀 Hope my Y invests in some the next time they're buying equipment!
This interview provided me with context that only deepens my appreciation for his writing. His honesty terrifies and exhilarates me. Like everything he does, I appreciate this format as well. Thank you!
Hello good sir! Thanks for the comment. I’m out and about having a bit of a day taking care of stuff I don’t want to take care of, but do want to give you a good response to this later today!