...the most beautiful things don't always make you happy - often they make you weep...

...language always occurs in a context - you can speak Elizabethan words, but to speak the language you have to put on the mindset...

...the secret to writing is to get your own pain - shout it out till it hurts your throat - weep it into your pillow - then write it down ...

...writing with ferocity is a gift, provided that ferocity is a monomaniacal devotion to pursuing the truth ...

For me, not knowing your theme until your finished is like using a scalpel to turn a kangaroo into Miss Universe – there will be a lot of deep cuts, and there’s a high chance it won’t work.

Don't over edit. Don't second-guess yourself, or your ideas. Just write. Write every day, and keep at it. Don't get discouraged with the rejections. Tape them up on your office wall, to remind you of all the hard work you put in when you finally start getting published! It's all about persistence and passion. And have fun with it. Don't forget to have fun.