William H. Gass, the celebrated author of notable works such as *Omensetter’s Luck*, *In the Heart of the Heart of the Country*, and *Middle C*, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 93 at his home in St. Louis. A pioneering experimental writer, Gass was also an accomplished critic, essayist, and philosophy professor. His mastery of language was evident in the precision and purpose of each sentence he crafted. "If I am anything as a writer, that is what I am: a stylist," Gass stated in an interview with *The Paris Review*. "I am a writer, in general. I am interested in how one writes anything." Gass's literary contributions delve deeply into the form, cadence, sound, weight, and rhythm of writing, often creating works that are both challenging and transcendent.
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In honor of his artistic legacy, here are some insights and advice for writers drawn from Gass’s interviews:
He acknowledged the darker motivations for writing, stating, "I write because I hate. A lot. Hard," emphasizing that writing allows one to make their deepest feelings acceptable to the world.
Gass underscored the importance of perseverance, reflecting on his early struggles to publish: "I was turned down for ten years... Talent is just one element of the writing business. You also have to have a stubborn nature. You have to be grimly determined."
A sense of justice and even revenge was another theme for Gass: "Getting even is one great reason for writing... There are two ways of getting even: one is destructive and the other is restorative. It depends on how the scales are weighted."
He advised writers to consider multiple perspectives: "Even an ideologically driven artist...cannot create a drama of conflict between points of view unless he can imaginatively put himself in two positions." Gass stressed the significance of seeing beyond one's own viewpoint.
On the process of writing, he stated that prose can range from simple statements to intricate explorations, arguing for a balance in verbosity depending on the moment.
Gass encouraged a disciplined routine: "Compel yourself to write several hours every day no matter how bad you feel. Eat well three times a day, ceremoniously. Habits like iron will serve as a reward for writing."
He critiqued contemporary writing trends, suggesting that many writers focus too much on performative aspects instead of the richness of written language. He asserted, "You are really supposed to read it the way they teach you to read in speed-reading... the new mode is not performative and not auditory."
Writing, he believed, should advance the art itself rather than cater to the reader. "You don’t write for anybody. People who send you bills do that. You are advancing an art—the art. That is what you are trying to do."
He warned against the common pitfall of writing autobiographically, saying, "Too many writers write about their lives... It happened to me, and therefore it must be interesting."
Lastly, Gass advocated for patience and rigor in revision, believing that true writing involves significant editing and the willingness to revisit one's work many times. "Something gets on paper, and then it gets revised, and then it gets revised, and then it gets revised."
Throughout his life, Gass’s work and philosophy demonstrated a commitment to the nuances of writing and the importance of engaging deeply with the craft.