‘I realise that you are spending months inside the tie cupboard, selecting the aeroplane ties to be dispatched to retired Wing Commanders and I acknowledge your quiet despair. But rest assured, you will progress.’

‘I took a page of writing that I felt really good about and put it in a drawer; a week later I took a piece of writing that I felt was really uninspired.’

‘Let’s face it. Basically, you’re on your own, and ultimately, boringly, it’s discipline isn’t it?’