I tell you all this because it's worth recognizing that there is no such thing as an overnight success. You will do well to cultivate the resources in yourself that bring you happiness outside of success or failure. The truth is, most of us discover where we are headed when we arrive. At that time, we turn around and say, yes, this is obviously where I was going all along. It's a good idea to try to enjoy the scenery on the detours, because you'll probably take a few.

You know, there are times when it's a source of personal pride to not be human.

Creating a life that reflects your values and satisfies your soul is a rare achievement.

Girls are like slugs - they probably serve some purpose, but it's hard to imagine what.

There are no restrictions of taste, approach, or subject matter. The gatekeepers are gone, so the prospect for new and different voices is exciting. Or at least it will be if anyone reads them. And it will be even more exciting if anyone pays for them. It's hard to charge admission without a gate.

I've got plenty of common sense! I just choose to ignore it.

Careful. We don't want to learn from this.