To claim that music is more important than oxygen would be trite and sentimental. It would also be true.

I write short stories when a little idea occurs to me, that I know isn't a part of a novel that will stand by itself and should be concentrated.

When I'm writing I just think there's only the page and me and nobody else.

To claim that music is more important than oxygen would be trite and sentimental. It would also be true.

Do be kind to yourself. Fill pages as quickly as possible; double space, or write on every second line. Regard every new page as a small triumph. Until you get to page 50. Then calm down, and start worrying about the quality. Do feel anxiety - it's the job.

She's a pot-of-tea-before-I-say-boo-to-you woman. There's always a pile of warm teabags in the sink when I come down, like what a horse would leave behind.

I wouldn't go out of my way to experience the indignity of middle-age just because it might be good meat for a story.