What's important to me is that all of my books are in print - and, in a way, that becomes the challenge, not winning this prize or getting that review. It's that the work is there, and you can walk into many bookshops throughout the world and buy it.
Interpretation
The value of an author's work is measured by its availability to readers, rather than accolades received.
William Boyd emphasizes that the true accomplishment of a writer lies in having their books published and available for readers, rather than merely seeking recognition through awards or reviews. He suggests that the challenge of making one's work accessible is a significant and fulfilling pursuit in itself, highlighting the importance of readers being able to engage with his literature anywhere in the world.
In practice
A motivational speech about the significance of persistence in one's craft.
As a novelist, where do you go to tap into memories, and impressions, and sensations? It's usually, in my experience, your early life, before you started thinking of yourself as a writer, because somehow those experiences are unadulterated.
When you're given a platform, and you're allowed to perform, and someone's there to heighten you as opposed to dampen you, that's a nice feeling.
Great work requires great and persistent effort for a long time. ... Character has to be established through a thousand stumbles.
You should always have a product that has nothing to do with who you are or what people think about you... so that you never start thinking that your product is you, or your fame or your aura.
The odds of me coming into the rocket business, not knowing anything about rockets, not having ever built anything, I mean, I would have to be insane if I thought the odds were in my favor.
It takes sacrifice as well as talent.
What could be better than walking down any street in any city and knowing you're the heavyweight champion of the world?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.