Hi Hanif, about two decades ago I read Intimacy and you inspired me to become a writer too. I'm a journalist but it was that book that ignited my creative ire by introducing me to a modern, unflinching style that resonates. Life changing, so thank you. Your book Shattered, also, retains that same unflinching lucidity. So, my question - it's a big one - how do you think internet/social media has changed relationships since those times - the 1990s. The good and the bad. I wish you all the best with your remarkable recovery journey. Alicia x
What does one do when a person has completely lost their passion and creative streak...connected to the one thing they have always loved ( in my case words)
How do you find it again? Or do you just move on, accepting that loss. Lx
The loss is the writing. I have not written anything since the beginning of lock down. This may indeed coincide with my deteriorating mobility [I have cerebral palsy] but regardless, I have loved writing since childhood. I feel as if I have lost something that was inherently part of me.
I have a flat filled with books, some decades old, and I am surrounded by some of my favourite writers....and yet my concentration is just not there anymore......
I'm a visual artist who writes. I'm in a slightly similar position, and what I find helpful is not thinking about making or it gets worse. Go out for walks, cook etc. Keep your hand memory active if possible.
A scribble, without thinking. Write a line. The right time will come.
Dear Hanif, I remain extremely perturbed by the recent post where you and your writer sons extolled the virtues of using AI tools. Even leaving aside the means by which those tools build their "knowledge" - plagiarising without consent the work of all writers (and that includes your work) - I am disturbed that a writer would wish to avoid the obstacles, difficulties, wrong turnings and hopeless missions that are the graft of the artist, and within which true creativity flourishes. Is AI now a done deal for you, or are you still considering its merits? With greatest respect, Vincent
Hi Hanif, it was exciting to see the film clip of you walking, how is that going and are you feeling progress or is it 2 forward and 2 back sometimes , also, how are your hands , is there any improvement in them ? Much affection, Jane
Hanif, each week you paint vivid pictures for us with words. In a world that’s so ‘busy’ with pulls on our attention and away from ‘deep work’ how do you create such complete worlds with so few words? Thank you, Katherine
Hi Hanif, thanks for your beautiful and moving writing. I just read "Shattered" and was connecting with it as a person who has been disabled since age 2 and has used a motorized wheelchair for three decades. My question is about if you feel your writing has changed with your disability? Do you feel that you are grappling with internalized or societal ableism? Has your disability altered how you view the world and therefore write about it? Thanks!
Hanif, was great to meet you at the event held in the church near Farringdon at the end of last year. Got a great picture of us that Carlo took, he looked so chuffed when I told him he's a wonderful son and 'it's wonderful what you do for you dad.' As you will see I don't use Substack currently for my own writing but it's something I may do at some point. Anyway, my question is would you like to hear one of my performance poems? It has a kitchen sink drama feel to it and it's about two broken people coming together to comfort each other.
It won an award from The Dark Poets Club. Stay well.
Hi Hanif, about two decades ago I read Intimacy and you inspired me to become a writer too. I'm a journalist but it was that book that ignited my creative ire by introducing me to a modern, unflinching style that resonates. Life changing, so thank you. Your book Shattered, also, retains that same unflinching lucidity. So, my question - it's a big one - how do you think internet/social media has changed relationships since those times - the 1990s. The good and the bad. I wish you all the best with your remarkable recovery journey. Alicia x
Dear HK.
What does one do when a person has completely lost their passion and creative streak...connected to the one thing they have always loved ( in my case words)
How do you find it again? Or do you just move on, accepting that loss. Lx
The loss is the writing. I have not written anything since the beginning of lock down. This may indeed coincide with my deteriorating mobility [I have cerebral palsy] but regardless, I have loved writing since childhood. I feel as if I have lost something that was inherently part of me.
I have a flat filled with books, some decades old, and I am surrounded by some of my favourite writers....and yet my concentration is just not there anymore......
I'm a visual artist who writes. I'm in a slightly similar position, and what I find helpful is not thinking about making or it gets worse. Go out for walks, cook etc. Keep your hand memory active if possible.
A scribble, without thinking. Write a line. The right time will come.
Dear Hanif, I remain extremely perturbed by the recent post where you and your writer sons extolled the virtues of using AI tools. Even leaving aside the means by which those tools build their "knowledge" - plagiarising without consent the work of all writers (and that includes your work) - I am disturbed that a writer would wish to avoid the obstacles, difficulties, wrong turnings and hopeless missions that are the graft of the artist, and within which true creativity flourishes. Is AI now a done deal for you, or are you still considering its merits? With greatest respect, Vincent
I found that piece on AI extremely interesting. Challenging and useful too. I would love to hear more from Hanif & his sons on the subject.
Hi Hanif, it was exciting to see the film clip of you walking, how is that going and are you feeling progress or is it 2 forward and 2 back sometimes , also, how are your hands , is there any improvement in them ? Much affection, Jane
How do we sustain our childlike wonder in such a cruel world?
What a strange thing to say.
Amorim IN or OUT?
Top 5 books of all time?
Top 5 albums of all time?
What is Jamila up to these days? She made it possible for me to me, though our starting points were different.
Hanif, each week you paint vivid pictures for us with words. In a world that’s so ‘busy’ with pulls on our attention and away from ‘deep work’ how do you create such complete worlds with so few words? Thank you, Katherine
Does chaos have it own form?
Or do you, the writer impose form on chaos?
Hanif.
Are you anxious about your writing, or are you over that? Do you feel confident while you write and also after it’s finished?
Just read your interview with Paris Review
You were a favorite of mine after My Beautiful Laundrette funny deep and critical
Love reading the stops and starts in the writing biz in uk from your interview
How different would it be in this point in time? Finding your way from the beginning. I guess you're a collaborator
Best on future projects, im going to go find some available ones
Hi Hanif, thanks for your beautiful and moving writing. I just read "Shattered" and was connecting with it as a person who has been disabled since age 2 and has used a motorized wheelchair for three decades. My question is about if you feel your writing has changed with your disability? Do you feel that you are grappling with internalized or societal ableism? Has your disability altered how you view the world and therefore write about it? Thanks!
May I ask you, Hanif: why do you think you suddenly fell over? Was it an act of God (if you believe in God)?
Cantona or Dickens?
Hanif, was great to meet you at the event held in the church near Farringdon at the end of last year. Got a great picture of us that Carlo took, he looked so chuffed when I told him he's a wonderful son and 'it's wonderful what you do for you dad.' As you will see I don't use Substack currently for my own writing but it's something I may do at some point. Anyway, my question is would you like to hear one of my performance poems? It has a kitchen sink drama feel to it and it's about two broken people coming together to comfort each other.
It won an award from The Dark Poets Club. Stay well.