Gonzo Goals
I just finished Gonzo, the Jann Wenner and Corey Seymour oral biography of Hunter S. Thompson‘s life. An inspiring story of a writer I admire, and who I need to read more of.
As I put the book down, I re-decided that I want to be remembered for my writing voice and tone. This is tougher than ever – internet, blogs, everyone’s publishing, etc. But the way forward is to just write every day and get feedback and get better. Push through the dip, I suppose, though I’ve yet to read that book.
It’s hard. I occasionally feel like I’m languishing, plateauing, not improving. I get these feelings when I’m inactive or being too regular – sitting around, talking and drinking. Which is ridiculous, of course, since these moments shape my knowledge and feelings and dislikes and likes and experiences and memories and examples and voice.
I’m determined to be memorable like Hunter, but without the drugs and alcohol. I’m not naive enough to think that this is an original thought. Probably a hundred thousand have thought or written the same thing after reading, or reading about, Hunter. But it’s pretty awesome to realise that one person can have that affect on so many.
And I want to know that feeling.
Co-sign – and, in my, case, with a musical signature (in the works)
Andrew, if you enjoyed Gonzo be sure to checkout “The Gonzo Way: A Celebration of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson” by Anita Thompson and Douglas Brinkley. Anita was his assistant who became his wife and taught her everything he knew about writing and life.
The book is quite small, but packed full of wisdom.