We are not all connected. We are bags of skin. We are all separate bags of thinking skin.

Surgery is just stabbing in a courteous environment

Read. As much as you can. As deeply and widely and nourishingly and ­irritatingly as you can. And the good things will make you remember them, so you won't need to take notes.

Have more humility. Remember you don't know the limits of your own abilities. Successful or not, if you keep pushing beyond yourself, you will enrich your own life - and maybe even please a few strangers.

Remember you love writing. It wouldn't be worth it if you didn't. If the love fades, do what you need to and get it back. Remember writing doesn't love you. It doesn't care. Nevertheless, it can behave with remarkable generosity. Speak well of it, encourage others, pass it on.

We are not all connected. We are bags of skin. We are all separate bags of thinking skin.

Remember you love writing. It wouldn’t be worth it if you didn’t. If the love fades, do what you need to and get it back.