Work hard and meticulously. When in trouble, look closely at a text that is a good example of what you're trying to do. And be patient.

I can talk for a long time only when it's about something boring.

Part of my mind is working on how to end the thing while I'm going on. You need at least two brains to write.

I worked more intensively hour after hour when I was starting out [writing]. More laboriously. I'd say quantity is important as well as quality, and if you're not producing enough, make a schedule and stick to it.

When I'm trying a new form- trying to do something I'm not used to doing, which was true of the novel.

Heart weeps. Head tries to help heart. Head tells heart how it is, again: You will lose the ones you love. They will all go. But even the earth will go, someday. Heart feels better, then. But the words of head do not remain long in the ears of heart. Heart is so new to this. I want them back, says heart. Head is all heart has. Help, head. Help heart.

So the question really is, Why doesn't that pain make you say, I won't do it again? When the pain is so bad that you have to say that, but you don't.