The year that my book on workbenches came out I had a conversation with one of the editors of a competing magazine.
“Nice work,” he said about the book. “I guess you’re done.”
I must have looked confused, distressed or constipated because he continued on with his explanation.
He said something like this: Most writers in any field – be it woodworking, haberdashery or animal husbandry – get only one really good idea during their lifetimes. The rest of their lives are spent re-casting that same idea and repeating it until no one else will listen.
I was horrified.
I thought I would have perhaps two ideas in my lifetime. One on woodworking. And one on dinosaurs.
It’s been four years since that conversation. And with “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” about to go to press, that little chat is weighing heavy on my mind.
— Christopher Schwarz
So, which one was on dinosaurs?
Being a competitor, it was probably just wishful thinking on his part. The “one idea” idea, may apply to most people. If so there are plenty of exceptions. But I’d be more inclined to think that once most people hit on the first good idea that it then becomes easier to keep building on (re-casting and repeating) it instead of going off in another direction.
Looking forward to the new book.
Obviously he failed to take into account the nature of the man with whom he was talking.
In the future it will be said that you and several others helped inspire a revival in the lost art of woodworking by hand. You’re doing good I think.
It was once thought that all the dinosaurs died out long ago…
…as it turns out they have just been writing for other woodworking magazines.
🙂
Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.
-F.D.R.
Fear not, the Schwarz is with you!
I think you have to look at it like you haven’t had your good idea yet. You keep striving to better yourself with an idea that makes your past ideas look like practice. Keep striving. One mans laurels may be another mans stepping stone.
Amen.
Well, if your one idea was, “I want to breathe life back into woodworking,” then… I’m afraid you’re a one-trick pony clamp, Chris.
I think that was probably the equivalent of the coach trying to demoralize the other team before the big game. Or he’d written his one book and had no new ideas.
Either way, keep doing what you’re doing, Chris.
I’ll be diplomatic. What an idiot.
It wasn’t the guy from “American Router” was it? They just keep going around and around with the same material.
Their last best idea was a laser guidance system to accompany their dovetail jig…..
Keep up the great work!
What idea was that guy talking about anyway? Did you not “just repeat” the great findings of old masters regarding workbenches and elaborated on the subject a bit trying to explain it to us all by your own experiences?
If there’s any truth in the guys’ remark, which I doubt, your “great idea” is still to come…..keep trying to find it!
While we’re waiting to be shocked by your idea(s) we’ll be more then content with what you have done for the woodworking community so far and are going to.
Can’t wait for the Toolchest book!
The “good idea” was to write a modern book about old workbenches and how to build them with cheap construction materials. Minor, I know. But I think it was a good idea.
So by that standard, I’m done. Toast. Kaput. Etc.
Chris
The real question is whether you are bursting full of ideas or not. If this was one of many things you want to talk about, then great — keep moving forward!!
Some find that they only have one thing to say, then spend time trying to “figure out” what else they can do to repeat their success.
From following your blog over the years, I would saw that you have plenty of ideas, opinions and projects to keep you writing and editing for a very long time. Heck, if you count the DVDs and teraching, then you have already contributed many, many times already!
I guess I’m going to have to find another blog if I’m going to find a cure for cancer.
Besides which, I think one really good idea is great. It’s fantastic. It’s more than most people come up with.
He must not have heard about your upcoming bestseller:
18th Century Birdhouse Designs