George Saunders is, in my opinion, the best writer of humorous fiction out there today. He is also hugely inspiring when he talks about writing, so if you’re looking for a little dose of kick-in-the-ass, here’s a great new interview with him about getting started as a writer. A sample: “Well, this is sort of old-fartish advice – that is, the type of advice someone who already has a tenure-track job would give — but I do mean it: I think the only defensible position is to sort of say to hell with making a living and put all your energy into making something new, that seems beautiful to you – that is, to try your best to push your work into a new/iconic place and let the chips fall where they may. Otherwise you’re putting the cart before the horse, and it’s very possible that the emphasis on making a living (or being viable, or commercial, etc etc) might cause you to miss a vital path – to be, that is, both (a) lame and (b) unpublished.”