I know when a story is finished when there is not a single thing more I can think to do to it. And since I know at the start what the last line will be, I know when I've reached that point as logically as I can that it's finished. As for the rewriting-it's not foolproof, of course, but if you're honest about having thought of every possibility and you still come back to what you have, what more can you do?

He wondered how we know that what happens to us isn't good.

I want to know everything about you, so I tell you everything about myself.

For peace of mind, I will lie about any thing at any time.

Good leaders being scarce, following yourself is allowed.

Sometimes a flat-footed sentence is what serves, so you don't get all writerly: 'He opened the door.' There, it's open.

I leave a lot out when I tell the truth