I need about six hours uninterrupted time in order to produce about two hours of writing.
-- Robert B. Parker
The writing world lost one of it's own on Monday. Robert B. Parker died while writing his latest Spenser adventure.
I imagine he's grinning a little grin about where he died. I hope so. I think many of us probably smiled when we first heard it.
I've read a ton of Parker's books over the years. I enjoy his sparse style, his wry humour and his unique characters. Spenser, Sunny, Jesse. They've all become quite real to me.
I love Parker's quote above. I can't even imagine 6 hours of uninterrupted time, but I totally agree with the quote anyway! Writing is so much more difficult than "outsiders" usually imagine - maybe this quote will give them a little insight.
Here's another one of my favourite Parker quotes:
I had achieved the most important things in my life when I married Joan and had the sons. Given the choice between Joan and the boys, and being a writer, I world give up being a writer without a blink.
Life is to be lived - and then written about! It needs to be lived first. As writers, we have to remember the important things in our lives - family, friends & the rest of the real world. It's easy to disappear into our private worlds, but I'm afraid our written worlds won't be very interesting if we stay there. I think Parker would agree.
38 comments:
so sad I loved the spencer series! :( But he died doing what he loved. how profound.
A very inspiring tribute. I especially love the quotes you selected. He will be missed greatly, but will live on through his work.
I so love that last quote- I feel the same way. It's hard to write something for my characters when I haven't experienced something similar.
Life first and write second!
Shelli - I love the Spensers too! Great characters - who doesn't love Hawk? :) He'll be missed.
Thanks for dropping by :)
Mason - he sure will - he's been such a prolific writer. We can only dream :)
Stephanie - I agree completely! My life is crazy-full, chaotic and sometimes just a little bizarre. And I really wouldn't change a thing. I love it - and there's always something in it to write about :)
great post. I agree completely. He will be missed!
Heartfelt post, Jemi. And indeed, Robert B. Parker will be missed.
Great quotes. Thanks for sharing them. :)
Emma - thank you. He has so many fans! Thanks so much for dropping by!
Thanks Wendy - he will indeed be missed.
Michelle - Thank you - I love quotes. They tell you so much about the person speaking :)
That is so beautiful. Isn't refreshing and lovely to hear about people who put spouse and children before anything and everything else? I love that because I feel the same way.
Oooh, I like both of those quotes. And it's true. Put writing up against family, and it loses every single time.
What a great quote!
I didn't know Parker had died. How did I miss this? Thanks for posting it, Jemi. I loved Robert B. Parker.
Lovely post Jeni. I bet he's grinning at you too. :)
It certainly is, Nisa! As a teacher I'm always worried when people don't put their families first. Nothing's more important :)
Elana - very true! Glad you enjoyed the quotes too :)
Carolyn - I agree! Thanks :)
Me too, Shannon! He wrote some great books. He'll be missed.
Mari - I bet he is grinning :) Hope so.
I love the quotes. We must live our lives to the fullest, people matter, our careers should not take over our lives and make us forget that.
I never want to forget this. Writing is all about living.
Elizabeth - Parker should had his head on straight! People first :)
Lisa & Laura - I agree! Our writing is important, but nothing is more important than the people in our lives :)
This is such a beautiful post, Jemi. I have always loved Parker's writing, and that last quote fits what I know of him to a tee. Reading his books, I always felt that family, and the love of his life, were always very important to him. It came through so clearly. And Jemi, I love what you wrote: "Life is to be lived - and then written about!" Yes! to that!
Thanks Belle! You're so right - Parker's love of family shines through in his writing!
Thank you - I'm so glad you agree :)
Well said. I didn't even know he died. Shoot. I really enjoyed him as a writer....read lots of his books, and an excellent quote.... how very true. People who aren't writers don't understand the need to be alone. But what you said in the end, is also true.
Thanks for sharing.
Yvonne - it's so sad - he was a great man - great writer too. A man with his priorities in order :)
What a lovely tribute, Jemi. The man and his talent will be missed. And those quotes are fantastic. Thank you for sharing. :)
VR - Parker was a great writer - I'm glad you enjoyed his quotes!
Jemi, thanks so much for the thoughtful post. You are an inspiration and an asset to the writing community.
Thanks Cat - you're very kind! It's so sad to hear of Parker's death. I've been reading his stuff since early high school.
I like Parker even more after reading the quote about his family.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Helen - that's exactly how I felt when I read it :) A great man!
A fitting tribute. I love that you did this.
Warm regards and a lovely weekend to you Jemi,
Simone
Thanks Simone! Enjoy a wonderful weekend :)
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