Travel definitely affects me as a writer.
So how, children, does the brain, which lives without a spark of light, build for us a world full of light?
You don't say, I'm going to be a writer when I grow up - at least I didn't.
Anyone who has spent a few nights in a tent during a storm can tell you: The world doesn't care all that much if you live or die.
Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever.
Short stories are wonderful and extremely challenging, and the joy of them, because it only takes me three or four months to write, I can take more risks with them. It's just less of your life invested.