Me & David Foster Wallace: Common Ground

You know, I've never read David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest. I've also never read Brief Interviews with Hideous Men or A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again.

The one DFW book that I bought with every intention of reading was Consider the Lobster and Other Essays. But no, even when I got that one home, I didn't read it.

To be perfectly honest, I've never read anything that DFW wrote. He's one of those super-intense writers that I have to be emotionally, psychologically, and soulfully ready for...so far, that time hasn't come.

Despite that, I've always known who DFW was. (Sadly, he committed suicide in 2008.) I knew the world considered him to be a brilliant writer. I knew he took chances in his work. I knew he was edgy and passionate about words, had a cult following, usually had long(ish) hair, and took good photos.

What I didn't know was that, like me, DFW wrote in his books. I don't mean he wrote in the books that HE wrote. I mean he wrote in the books he bought and read. You know, the books that he put on his desk, bedside table, and in his bag. He scribbled, made notes, and circled words he either didn't know the meaning of or wanted to know more about. And the cool thing? His books (along with his manuscripts, etc.) are now in a collection at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin. So you can actually see them both online and if you happen to be in Austin, in person.

Some cool words DFW circled in his books?

ort

suint

valgus

More? Absolutely. See them here.

While you're bopping about the DFW collection, check out his notes on Christina Stead's The Man Who Loved Children and Cormac McCarthy's Suttree. (DFW even doodled glasses and a mustache on McCarthy's bio photo. Hee hee.)

Since I get a lot of grief from folks for writing in my books (one reader recently sent me a note that said I treat books like a whore in a naval yard...yikes), I'm loving the fact that DFW did it, too. It's a vital part of my writing process...and I don't believe books are this THING, this OBJECT, to be revered and honored...set on a shelf to be eyed from afar. I believe books are supposed to be read, used, reused...however that works for you.

Remember, it's the story housed in the physical book that is important...not the actual pages or the covers. It's okay to make the pages part of your writing/artistic/life process.

I repeat, it's okay to make the pages part of your writing/artistic/life process.

My message?

Break spines.

Doodle in your books.

Daydream while you doodle.

And yep, go on...write in your books.

Comments

[parisimperfect]

I write in my books, too! I call it active engagement with what I'm reading - essential for any writer! Keep on scribbling!
-Sion

[steven germain]

Consider the Lobster is remarkable in its attention to detail as a kind of compassion and freedom (one of his themes). Here is a link to an interview he gave on German TV that is not all that well known. If you have not seen it you might enjoy.

http://roughfractals.blogspot.com/2009/09/long-2003-interview-with-david-foster.html

[Amy U]

When I saw you in October, I was surprised to learn you write in books. That's crossed my mind from time to time and anal-retentive me TRIES to wrap my head around it. Perhaps I'm looking for "permission" to do that, myself. Must be freeing. Actually, it never dawned on me that people do that until I heard it from you. Especially your story of tearing a book apart when you were returning to the U.S. to be able to (1) read & (2) pack lighter.

NOT surprised to hear you share this in common with a(nother) famous writer, though.

Happy doodling.....

[Michelle Cusolito]

I write in my books all the time. I find it hard not to. I've been known to take a book out of the library and love it so much I have to return it and buy my own copy just so I can write in it.

One of my favorites... a copy of Bird By Bird, given to me by a friend when I first started writing. It's filled with notes she wrote in it whe she first read it.

My books with the most notes, mangled covers, and dog-eared pages are my "well-loved" books.

Michelle
My blog: Polliwog on Safari
Muck About. Meet the locals. Expand your world.
http://michellecusolito.blogspot.com/