| 08 |
You've said in a previous interview that you believe
human beings need a certain order in their lives. How do we know where to draw the
appropriate line between this comforting order and the freedom from duty and routine? |
"When I say freedom, I don't mean a thoughtless or
selfish freedom. Duty is important - duty to family and society, as well as to our
personal goals. This can often lead to conflict as we try to balance our own fulfilment
against the needs and fulfilment of those around us, partners and children in particular.
We may have to postpone the realisation of our dream to a more appropriate time, rather
than harm other people in its pursuit. "And of course even doing the thing we want
to do may involve strict discipline. Being a musician, for example, means hours of
rigorous practice. And novels don’t get written unless you show up at your desk each
day, regardless of whether you feel ‘inspired’ or not. Fortunately I don't find
that too difficult. The discipline instilled into me at my convent boarding school has
been valuable in that regard. And I consider myself extremely lucky to have the freedom to
write full-time, and to stay at home in my comfy old clothes, instead of having to get all
dressed up and commute to work on a crowded train. But it took me ages to reach that
stage! Always before, I had to try to fit my writing into the odd bits of time left over
from family, house and job." |
