Keep Away From Fantasy. Shake

I'll Develop My Own Image. I'm An Original Man. A One And Only. I Just Need Some Help.

There's No Way To Escape The Fact That We've Grown Up In A Violent Culture, We Just Can't Get Away From It, It's Part Of Our Heritage. I Think Part Of It Is That We've Always Felt Somewhat Helpless In The Face Of This Vast Continent. Helplessness Is Answered In Many Ways, But One Of Them Is Violence.

When You Hit A Wall – Of Your Own Imagined Limitations – Just Kick It In.

Farm Country -- You Know, Hay, Horses, Cattle. It's The Ideal Situation For Me. I Like The Physical Endeavors That Go With The Farm -- Cutting Hay, Cleaning Out Stalls, Or Building A Barn. You Go Do That And Then Come Back To The Writing.

My First Job Was With The Burns Detective Agency. They Sent Me Over To The East River To Guard Coal Barges During These God-awful Hours Like Three To Six In The Morning. It Wasn't A Very Difficult Job -- All I Had To Do Was Make A Round Every Fifteen Minutes -- But It Turned Out To Be A Great Environment For Writing. I Was Completely Alone In A Little Outhouse With An Electric Heater And A Little Desk.