some comments coming together in my mind: Peter Bishop of Varuna saying that the manuscripts that get his attention are the ones that say "look at me, look what I'm doing". and Athol Fugard saying on the book show of a particular play, that it was the one that he knew was him writing in his own voice, saying something no one else could say. and a review of a poetry book in the paper at the weekend, suggesting that in a small hothouse like Australia, mediocrity can get too much attention. and I wonder: is it worth doing if it isn't unique? if someone else can do it, why do it?