No matter how clear things might become in the forest of story, there was never a clear-cut solution, as there was in math. The role of a story was, in the broadest terms, to transpose a problem into another form. Depending on the nature and the direction of the problem, a solution might be suggested in the narrative. Tengo would return to the real world with that solution in hand. It was like a piece of paper bearing the indecipherable text of a magic spell. It served no immediate practical purpose, but it contained a possibility.
Haruki MurakamiThe silence grew deeper, so deep that if you listened carefully you might very well catch the sound of the earth revolving on its axis.
Haruki MurakamiYou canโt look too far ahead. Do that and youโll lose sight of what youโre doing and stumble. Iโm not saying you should focus solely on the details right in front of you, mind you. Youโve got to look ahead a bit or else youโll bump into something. Youโve got to conform to the proper order and at the same time keep an eye out for whatโs ahead. Thatโs critical, no matter what youโre doing.
Haruki Murakami