I wrote the book because I wanted to be able to share some things that I had learned and as pompous as that may sound, as you get to a certain point in life, you figure so what am I doing?
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I'd pretty much given up hope of being published, so I just wrote the book I wanted to read.
I think some people wished I'd kept myself out of the book. But I kind of insist on it because I want the reader to share my engagement with the material, if you like, not pretend that I'm doing it completely intellectually.
The point of what I do is that it doesn't really matter what a book or a story is as long it moves you, informs you, challenges you, entertains you, or changes you.
As an author, I realise, you're on your own. You have to do everything you can to help The Book. If I make sure people know it's out there, they can make up their own minds whether they want to read it.
As a writer, you live in such isolation. It's hard to imagine your book has a life beyond you.
I didn't originally intend on writing a book. I started writing during the day to feel like I was accomplishing something creative.
Writing a book is a very lonely business. You are totally cut off from the rest of the world, submerged in your obsessions and memories.
My shorthand answer is that I try to write the kind of book that I would like to read. If I can make it clear and interesting and compelling to me, then I hope maybe it will be for the reader.
I decided to write a book primarily because people talked me into it.
I wrote in the book very specifically what I wanted to write about, period, and left it at.