‘For me a thought is just as important as voice, style, idiom or sensuous immediacy. It’s the development of thought that holds my attention.’
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‘I score out phrases, draw connecting arrows between ideas, and play around with words on the page. A mouse and keyboard would slow me down.’
That first phrase or line is like a magnet drawing other words to it and they begin to gather, sometimes quickly, sometimes over years, but again have to be scribbled down before I forget them.
‘I can usually hold the first few words or line for an hour or two, but that’s all. Although I can practice writing I have to be ready and prepared.’