Kevin
asked
John Scalzi:
When you read Shakespeare, do you get inspired, or does it make you want to give up and cry?
John Scalzi
I'm not trying to write plays at this point, so, no, Shakespeare doesn't make me want to give up. But even if I were writing plays, his work wouldn't have that effect on me, mostly because I wouldn't be trying to write like Shakespeare, I'd be trying to write like me.
In larger sense, I don't tend to feel intimidated by other writers, even the ones that are acknowledged masters, like Shakespeare. I'm not worried about being better writers than them; I'm interested in telling good stories for readers. You don't have to be Shakespeare to do that.
In larger sense, I don't tend to feel intimidated by other writers, even the ones that are acknowledged masters, like Shakespeare. I'm not worried about being better writers than them; I'm interested in telling good stories for readers. You don't have to be Shakespeare to do that.
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