Diary of an author, waiting. part 5

While waiting for my book, the Fate of the Artist, to come out, I often find myself wondering: what is the business of the artist anyway? I mean what is he supposed to be about? When he has not had a new book on the market for some time, it’s easy to start thinking it’s all got a bit abstract, like saying a word over and over until it becomes absurd. I  just came across a quote which fits the bill:

The dignity of the artist lies in his duty of keeping awake the sense of wonder in the world. In this long vigil he often has to vary his methods of stimulation; but in this long vigil he is also himself striving against a continual tendency to sleep. 

— Marc Chagall