"You need an obsession..."

"You need an obsession to move forward as a writer" -- that line comes from author Tom Perrotta. Perrotta, whose latest novel is The Leftovers, was in Toronto  for the International Festival of Writers. While he was there, he had pizza with the National Post's Ben Kaplan -- I came across Perrotta's wonderful quote in Kaplan's piece today in the National Post.

Perrotta says he's not sure where he'll go in his next book since he hasn't yet found a new obsession.

I love his observation about how an obsession helps a writer "move forward." I think it's because working on a long-term project, like a book, means we really need to be "into" our topic. In the last few months, I've been more than a little obsessed with the subject of fire! And now that I read what Perrotta has to say... well.. I feel as if I'm on the right track!

So, if you're an aspiring author, maybe you should try making a list of the things that obsess you. The subject for your book may be closer than you think!

Here's the link to the interview with Perrotta in case you want to read more about him. 

And if you're looking for more reading material, check out my business story that appeared in today's Gazette.

I'd give you more reading suggestions, but I gotta go -- I'm off to my BOXING lesson. Have I mentioned that boxing is my latest obsession?!!