The first thing I would say to young writers is, "Don't do it, unless you can't stand not to do it." And the second thing I would say is, "If you do do it, and get into it, the constant rule you should have in mind is to explore your material." It sounds simple, but it isn't, because people often want to get from A to B, and they don't stop to look at what is in the material.
Russell HobanToo-lateness, I realized, has nothing to do with age. Itโs a relation of self to the moment. Or not, depending on the person and the moment. Perhaps there even comes a time when itโs no longer too late for anything. Perhaps, even, most times are too early for most things, and most of life has to go by before itโs time for almost anything and too late for almost nothing. Nothing to lose, the present moment to gain, the integration with long-delayed Now.
Russell HobanIf reality had a stage door I'd hang around there to see what comes out after the show.
Russell HobanAnd now it seems she's on my wavelength. That's all I need. My mind isn't much of a comfort to me but at least I thought it was private.
Russell HobanWhat a weird thing smoking is and I can't stop it. I feel cosy, have a sense of well-being when I'm smoking, poisoning myself, killing myself slowly. Not so slowly maybe. I have all kinds of pains I don't want to know about and I know that's what they're from. But when I don't smoke I scarcely feel as if I'm living. I don't feel as if I'm living unless I'm killing myself.
Russell Hoban