No one inspired me to write, but writer Harlan Ellison terrified me into getting published.

The never-ending competition between writers hasn't changed between 1868 and 2000. I used to belong to writers' workshops with other professionals, but that becomes impossible after a while. Everyone's on a different step of the career ladder. Jealousy doesn't have to erupt into murder and burying someone in Wells Cathedral, but it is always there.

What, after all, is more real to us than the geography of our childhoods?

It no longer matters who consider themselves the masters of events. Events no longer obey their masters.

Context is to data what water is to a dolphin

Any allegiance to a deity or concept or universal principal which put obedience above decent behavior toward an innocent human being evil.

Writing, Im convinced, should be a subversive activity - frowned on by the authorities - and not one cooed over and praised beyond common sense by some teacher.