Must you write?

ThomasEKennedysq2This is the 2nd in a series of guest posts from Thomas E. Kennedy, each focusing on questions that have empowered him – and could also empower you – as a writer.

Q: Must you write?

Thomas E. Kennedy: This is a question that I learned to ask myself from the great Austrian poet R. M. Rilke from his marvellous Letters to a Young Poet (there is a photograph of Marilyn Monroe reading it by the way).

What Rilke said to the young poet he was mentoring was, ask yourself, ‘Must I write?’

If your answer is no, you have gained important self-knowledge; if you are able to quit writing, perhaps you Read more

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