Tom Robbins on writing

 

Tom Robbins, best known as the author of eight remarkable, subversive novels, died this month at the age of 92. Here's Robbins laying down the rules of writing:

Rules such as "Write what you know," and "Show, don't tell," while doubtlessly grounded in good sense, can be ignored with impunity by any novelist nimble enough to get away with it. There is, in fact, only one rule in writing fiction: Whatever works, works.

--Tom Robbins

May he rest in rebelliousness, riotousness, and redemption.

Favorite works:

Still Life with Woodpecker

Skinny Legs and All

Jitterbug Perfume

Another Roadside Attraction

Bonus quote:

I show up in my writing room at approximately 10 A.M. every morning without fail. Sometimes my muse sees fit to join me there and sometimes she doesn't, but she always knows where I'll be. She doesn't need to go hunting in the taverns or on the beach or drag the boulevard looking for me.

One last one:

Above all, have a good time. If you aren’t enjoying writing it, you can hardly expect someone else to enjoy reading it.

AND, what the hell, here's a short interview of the man conducted in 1994 by some kid named Jon Stewart.

                                

On tattoos and psychedelics