The past is obdurate. It doesn't want to change.

...they came to see what happened to their town, to see if it was indeed lying burnt and bleeding. Many of them also came to die.

The worst thing you can try to do is to steer the story once it gets going. You just kind of follow along and see where it goes. That's the fun.

I did spend years as an addict, so I know that world, although I wish I didn't.

if you tell yourself the great lie of bad art-that you are in charge-your chance at the truth will be lost. The truth isn't always pretty.

It was as hysterical as a woman having a hot flash.

The sort of strenuous reading and writing program I advocate - four to six hours a day, every day - will not seem strenuous if you really enjoy doing these things and have an aptitude for them.