Monday, December 22, 2008

Dustin Hoffman

Yesterday, I watched a really good interview with Dustin Hoffman, and he had something to say, that could pertain to writers in these hard publishing times.

With a huge background of work and new work ahead for Hoffman, he's been around a enough blocks for me to respect his outlooks.

Somewhere within the interview, which was done very well, btw, Hoffman said something like this: If times are bad and work scarce, artists can paint (I'm also an artist, counting on post-holiday time to relax with that), writers can write new material, but actors--actors have to have an audience, a film to work.

"The Writers" part really struck me. We can continue to write and produce, no matter the stituation, contract or no. However, actors must have a stage, a role to play. Think about the difference in these two concepts. So, writers can continue to work, no matter what.

Storing up copy for a possible sale also gives us a real plus this way: When emotional times are rough and there is no leaving the present physical situation for relief, writing presents another whole realm to explore, a habitat and characters we can build to escape real-life problems.

So. We have work, no matter what. And we have psychological vacations.

How much better can it get? :)

4 comments:

Magdalena Scott said...

You're right, Cait. We writers are SO fortunate! I remember that every morning before I get up, but sometimes during the day I lose sight of it. Yep--almost 3:00 pm, and I needed the reminder.

And of course I feel sorry for Dustin Hoffman now. Perhaps we should adopt him?

Cait London said...

From the sound of his interview, he's got new movies coming down the pipeline, so maybe he's not ready for us to adopt him just yet :)

Amelia Picklewiggle said...

This is so true Cait...we as writers have to be blessed that not only do we have our publishers but we also have each other, and as long as we continue to work as a team and network with each other the possibilities are endless...

Hugs,

Ap Miller

Gwyn Ramsey said...

Just read your article on Dustin Hoffman. He's so right. The thing about books is, people always seem to have money to purchase a book. It gives the reader a chance to escape from reality and many times that is important.