It Didn't Hurt, Did It? When I

I Think There Is A Huge Difference Between Writers Who Have Very Big Sales, And Writers Who Have Small Sales. Even Writers With Very High Reputations, Even Nobel Prize Winners, Often Sell In Very Low Figures.

I Work Very Regular Hours, Roughly 9 To 5:30. I Think I Have It Much Easier Than A Lot Of Parents. I Just Sit At Home, I Have A Very Flexible Timetable, And I'm Very Fortunate In That I Don't Have Money Problems. I Have Lunch With My Wife At Home. I Don't Have To Commute, So I Have Much More Time With My Family.

When You Become A Parent, Or A Teacher, You Turn Into A Manager Of This Whole System. You Become The Person Controlling The Bubble Of Innocence Around A Child, Regulating It.

I Half Closed My Eyes And Imagined This Was The Spot Where Everything I'd Ever Lost Since My Childhood Had Washed Up, And I Was Now Standing Here In Front Of It, And If I Waited Long Enough, A Tiny Figure Would Appear On The Horizon Across The Field And Gradually Get Larger Until I'd See It Was Tommy, And He'd Wave, And Maybe Even Call.

To See The Best Before I Have Properly Begun Would Be Somewhat Premature.