Does Your Work Stand the Test of Time

I was reading a piece by novelist and travel writer Paul Therouxin the Los Angeles Times recently, and he was asked about writing that stands up over the years. He said, “A lot of books that you read as a youth don’t stand up.

“A Catcher in the Rye” didn’t stand up. “On the Road” didn’t stand up. Henry Miller doesn’t stand up. But at the time [when you’re 18], you’re thinking, “God, this is great!” Even “The Stranger,” Albert Camus, didn’t stand up. But … you reread “Madame Bovary” and you think, “My God, this is a masterpiece. This is the most wonderful book.”

It started me thinking. Will my work last? Is the writing, directing, or producing quality of my work good enough that it will still be relevant 50 or more years from now? What about you? Does your work stand up?

Here’s my question: What do you think are the qualities about creative work that make it stand the test of time?

For more than 30 years, Phil Cooke has helped nonprofits find their purpose and is now applying this experience to individuals: “During a long career in the media business I’ve talked to hundreds of writers, producers, directors, designers, executives, and other professionals and discovered that in most cases, one thing is all it takes to launch a project or dream.”

Learn more about the writer Phil Cooke