I'm not even fit to shine Mr McCarthy's roper boots but I am a big fan of his and I did write a novel in a vaguely similar style: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1727336798
​
I'd also highly suggest Daniel Woodrell, Herman Melville (who he gets most of his inspiration from) and Faulkner, who is widely compared to him.
Hey man, that's a huge victory. You should be incredibly proud of yourself for this step. If nothing else, you've been a part of an anthology and that's something to be celebrated. My book is called 'The Black God', you can find it at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1727336798
'Can arrogance keep you from starting a new project?'
I think it's arrogant to expect nobel-level things from oneself (with 'expect' being the key modal here). You should aspire to be amongst the greatest ever but you shouldn't fool yourself into believing that it's your destiny or something. When a person heaps that much pressure on themselves, it can be debilitating. I understand why McCarthy chose to isolate himself, it's because without anyone else involving themselves in his craft, the only expectations left were his own. He was free to experiment and to focus without having to worry about the most noxious interference (other people).
It sounds like your feet are firmly on the ground tbh, just try and tell your own stories in your own style and I'm sure you will reach a level of great satisfaction and skill.
I'm not even fit to shine Mr McCarthy's roper boots but I am a big fan of his and I did write a novel in a vaguely similar style: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1727336798
​
I'd also highly suggest Daniel Woodrell, Herman Melville (who he gets most of his inspiration from) and Faulkner, who is widely compared to him.
Hey man, that's a huge victory. You should be incredibly proud of yourself for this step. If nothing else, you've been a part of an anthology and that's something to be celebrated. My book is called 'The Black God', you can find it at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1727336798
'Can arrogance keep you from starting a new project?'
I think it's arrogant to expect nobel-level things from oneself (with 'expect' being the key modal here). You should aspire to be amongst the greatest ever but you shouldn't fool yourself into believing that it's your destiny or something. When a person heaps that much pressure on themselves, it can be debilitating. I understand why McCarthy chose to isolate himself, it's because without anyone else involving themselves in his craft, the only expectations left were his own. He was free to experiment and to focus without having to worry about the most noxious interference (other people).
It sounds like your feet are firmly on the ground tbh, just try and tell your own stories in your own style and I'm sure you will reach a level of great satisfaction and skill.