Everything I Wanted To Do
I just gobbled up Neil Gaiman’s little book, Art Matters. It’s a collection of thoughtful bits and bobs, including a speech he gave to new arts graduates, on the subject of art and writing.
It’s eminently quotable and there are a couple that will resonate with Escapologists:
I escaped from school as soon as I could, when the prospect of four more years of enforced learning before I’d become the writer I wanted to be was stifling.
And, most importantly:
The nearest thing I had [to a plan] was a list I made when I was 15 of all everything I wanted to do. … I didn’t have a career, I just did the next thing on the list.
That list is pretty much the same thing as the “life audit” I suggest making in Escape Everything! and NG was obviously very clever to do it at 15. It’s never too late though: stand back, take stock, and decide what it is you want to do.
The possibilities are endless. If not Endless.
New newsletter coming out tomorrow! Sign up here if you’re not already in.
About Robert Wringham
Robert Wringham is the editor of New Escapologist. He also writes books and articles. Read more at wringham.co.uk
I love Neil Gaiman! I did not know that his thinking was so close to the escapologists’ though. Thanks for the revelation.
…”enforced learning”… brilliant…!
I learned recently that he used to write for a magazine called Escape in the ’90s.
That makes me like him even more!