I wish I was more patient as a writer, says Thomas Keneally

Australian novelist and Man Booker Prize winner, Thomas Keneally, feels that had he been more patient as a writer, it might have positively affected the quality of some of his books.
"I wish I could have been a more patient writer. I am very impetuous and want to get the book finished and that may have affected the quality of some of my books," Keneally told PTI in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of ongoing Writers and Readers' Festival 2014, which started in Panaji today.
"I think it could drive you mad if you keep thinking about the chances that you missed out on and writing about one particular subject when you should have written about another and then some of the strategy you made about how to write the novel," said the 78-year-old author of 'Schindler's Ark', for which he won the Booker Prize in 1982.

Based on this novel, noted Hollywood director Steven Spielberg made 'Schindler's List', which won the Academy Award for best picture in 1994.
"It's dangerous to look at your past work. It's like all love letters that you wrote when you were in twenties and they seem good at that time, but they seem ridiculous if you go back and read them now," he explained, adding that he should have been more patience writer.
"On the other hand I am just pleased. The overwhelming feeling after 50 years of writing is that I am free to continue writing because writing a book is an ageless experience.

"A 78 year old like me goes through the same process like a 25-year-old novelist. It's the same spiritual and emotional and psychological experience.. And its wonderful to be still writing...I feel more privileged and blessed for being able to still write," Keneally said.