Inscribing thoughts: the animation of an adventure

Abstract

This short reflection on my writing practice pivots off Roland Barthes’ announcement, in his last lecture course The Preparation of the Novel 1978–80, that he wanted ‘to track the Work from its Projection to it’s accomplishment: in other words, from Wanting-to-Write to Being-Able-to-Write, or from the Desire-to-Write to the Fact-of-Writing’. Here I reflect how Barthes, through animating writing as a more enjoyable adventure in thought, assists me in being able to progress towards finding a better ethos and technique for overcoming my anxieties when I approach the task, rather than the joy, of writing.