'Be willing to fail'

 

“I'm always terrified when I'mwriting.” – Mary Karr

Karr’ssentiment probably echoes all who take pen in hand or sit up to a keyboard ortypewriter to begin the creative process.

 

Bornin Groves, Texas on Jan. 16, 1955 Karr brought her early years back to life in her New York Times bestselling memoir, TheLiars' Club.   The book delvesvividly and often humorously into her childhood, most of whichwas spent in a gritty industrial section of Southeast Texas. 

 

Theauthor of 2 other memoirs, Cherry,and Lit: A Memoir, she also has had success as a poet (5 volumes to date) andessayist.  Winner of the prestigiousWhiting Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship in poetry, and two Pushcart Prizes, her “dayjob” is Professor of English Literature at Syracuse.

 

“Youngwriters often mistakenly choose a certain vein or style based on who they wantto be, unconsciously trying to blot out who they actually are.” Karrsaid.   “The thing I have to do as a writer . . .  is that I have to be willing to fail.”

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