William McKeen: Writing

William McKeen is American academic. Explore interesting quotes on writing.
William McKeen: 58   quotes 1   like

“His writing could be classified as metajournalism, journalism about the process of journalism.”

William McKeen

Source: Outlaw Journalist (2008), Chapter 5, Observer, p. 73
Context: In these letters to Ridley, Hunters Gonzo style began to rear its head. One of the characteristics of the style Hunter developed was his preoccupation of getting the story. In fact, getting the story became the story. His writing could be classified as metajournalism, journalism about the process of journalism.

“He taught himself to write, retyping books by writers he admired: Steinbeck, Hemingway, Faulkner… the usual heavyweights. He said he wanted to get inside the rhythm of their language and find his own stlye.”

William McKeen

Preface, The End, p. xv
Outlaw Journalist (2008)

Books

“This writing wasn't painful. It was like being high.”

William McKeen

Source: Outlaw Journalist (2008), Chapter 11, Making A Beast Of Himself, p. 166

Pain

“His legions of stoned admirers probably really thought he took a hundred hits of acid before sitting down to write. But the craftsmanship those close to him saw as he agonized over his words spoke to how much went into making it look like a breeze.”

William McKeen

Source: Outlaw Journalist (2008), Chapter 17, Homecoming, p. 324

“But he discovered his success later, when he began to write just like he talked.”

William McKeen

Source: Outlaw Journalist (2008), Chapter 5, Observer, p. 74

Success