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.

Schools don't really allow failure and yet it's part of any endeavour, not just writing.

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.

I tend to plan as I write. And I want to leave myself open and the character open to keep on going until it seems to be the time to stop.

If you are a writer you're at home, which means you're out of touch. You have to make excuses to get out there and look at how the world is changing.

Some of the people who look the most normal are probably the maddest people trying to look normal.