It came about as follows: over the years when I was involved in dianetics, I wrote the beginnings of many stories. I would get an idea, and then write the beginning, and then never touch it again.

Recruiting Station was a story that came as the result of many anxious awakenings during many nights.

I don't recall having any self-awareness about the intricacy of my stories.

I figure that that has a ten year cycle. At the end of that ten years, I began to get worried that I would run into what is known as the writer's block, the feeling of not being able to do these things.

I first read science fiction in the old British Chum annual when I was about 12 years old.

Knots was about the relationships that were built over many years.