“...if you want your own distinctive voice, you first have to become someone...”

“...when you're a writer, you become deeper and more uniquely distinct, the more you go inside yourself...”

“...I didn't want you flawless - I have a bare wall at home that's flawless - I wanted your character trapped in the amber of your skin...”

“...I want to live doubly - first with you and then afterwards in memory ...”

“...you want things to remain the same, which they never can, and so you’re wounded by your own feelings & resentful others don’t seem to care...”

“...you listen first with the ears - then, you wait and listen for what your heart feels - then you consider what they've said - then, you reply ...”

“...when you look at the stars, you should tremble - only dullards have become callous to this frisson ...”