The world breaks everyone or nearly everyone, of their childish illusions, assumptions and wishes, often painfully and afterwards due to the personal growth in practical experience, insight and the resulting wisdom many are strong at the broken places just like mended broken bones often are, and some people even have the great insight to be grateful for the purifying fire.

I kept this to remind me of you trying to brush away the Villa Rossa from your teeth in the morning, swearing and eating aspirin and cursing harlots. Every time I see that glass I think of you trying to clean your conscience with a toothbrush.

You may talk. And I may listen. And miracles might happen.

The brave dies perhaps two thousand deaths if he's intelligent. He simply doesn't mention them.

Use short sentences. Use short first paragraphs. Use vigorous English. Be positive, not negative.

I decided that I would write one story about each thing that I knew about.

That terrible mood of depression of whether it's any good or not is what is known as The Artist's Reward.