“Writing is not a talent. It is an affliction.”
“Good writing is clear. Talented writing is energetic. Good writing avoids errors. Talented writing makes things happen in the reader's mind---vividly, forcefully...”
“Where talent is lacking, anger writes poetry.”
“Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely essential.”
“i never begin my writings with talent. i begin them with strong emotions and liquor. they finish with talent.”
“That is the mystery about writing: it comes out of afflictions, out of the gouged times, when the heart is cut open.”