I nodded. A man's world. But what did it mean? That men whistled and stared and yelled things at you, and you had to take it, or you get raped or beat up? A man's world meant places men could go but not women. It meant they had more money,and didn't have kids, not the way women did, to look after every second. And it meant that women loved them more than they loved the women, that they could want something with all their hearts, and then not.

This involves more than I can discuss here, but do it. Read the writers of great prose dialogue-people like Robert Stone and Joan Didion. Compression, saying as little as possible, making everything carry much more than is actually said. Conflict. Dialogue as part of an ongoing world, not just voices in a dark room. Never say the obvious. Skip the meet and greet.

We have no home, she told me. I am your home.

As a person with terrible handwriting, I love the computer. I've waited all my life for the computer.

Depression, suffering and anger are all part of being human.

A novel is like a dream in which everyone is you. They’re all parts of yourself.

Who are you? the band sang. I tried to remember but I really couldn't say.