The misfortune of a young man who returns to his native land after years away is that he finds his native land foreign; whereas the lands he left behind remain for ever like a mirage in his mind. However, misfortune can itself sow seeds of creativity. ---- Afterword to "Hothouse" Brian Aldiss

It is comparatively easy to become a writer; staying a writer, resisting formulaic work, generating ones own creativity - thats a much tougher matter.

A writer should say to himself, not, How can I get more money?, but How can I reach more readers (without lowering standards)?

Keep violence in the mind Where it belongs (Barefoot in the Head)

The feat represents immense achievement for the neotenic ape, species Homo sapiens. But behind this lie twooldattributesoftheapetribalismandinquisitiveness.

Why had I become a writer in the first place? Because I wasn't fit for society; I didn't fit into the system.

When childhood dies, its corpses are called adults.