Dear Grab-baggers,
firstly, and most importantly, thank you so much for the support you’ve been giving - the retweets, private messages, likes. It makes a real difference to know you’re following this gradual becoming-a-book.
Secondly, I was very close to breaking in to the diary to write about the appalling attack on Salman Rushdie. He is a writer and a human being I very much admire. It is easy to have grand principles; it is almost impossible to live by even the simplest moral rule. Rushdie is braver, more active, more direct and more generous than almost any other writer I can think of. I wish him the fullest possible recovery, and the greatest eloquence when he returns to writing.
We’re going to take a break from the Q&As this month. We’ll be back on the final Friday of September. (However, if you want to reply to this, you’re more than welcome.)
But I wanted to let you know about something I’ve been doing, in parallel to the diary
Which is making some YouTube videos about writing, improving and doubting. The most popular of them, so far, is this one about my favourite creative writing exercise of all time.
I’m planning to do more, and any suggestions of good subjects - particularly things you find tricky about writing - are very welcome.
All best,
Toby
Hi Toby. I’ve enjoyed the first half, I’m defo in for the remainder and look forward to the YouTube videos. This is a generous gift and much appreciated.
Beliefs and principles are very shiny to hold until one day we realise they’re mostly rocks in our pockets. No one has the right to throw, sharpen or shoot them at others.
Rushdie is a brilliant writer and educator whose words challenge rock-set minds on all levels of understanding. Let’s hope he finds the strength to survive and that free speech prevails to promote peace and tolerance where there is none.
Chris