advice from an author (not me)

I just found this in the latest Author's Guild mag and I love it:

The late Muriel Spark had the following advice on writing novels: "You are writing a letter to a friend. Write privately, not publicly; without fear or timidity, right to the end of the letter, as if it were never going to be published."

Now, I'm not saying I can DO this but I'm sure going to try!

Good luck with your writing everybody.

Time spent

What happens to the TIME?? Yesterday I literally messed around with a picture book manuscript and, wham, there went the day! I remember summer days when I was 8 or 9 years old and whining about being "bored". The days dripped by as slowly as honey out of my honey bear (which has gathered an army of voracious little ants this morning.) I want that time back. I wish I'd banked it for the future! Hmmmm, interesting plot possibility. . .