I was told I should be an accountant. It was my own effort, really, that made new lines in my palm. I ve always believed in human effort. Not just hard work, like put your shoulder to the grindstone. What I m talking about is waking up.
Talent has nothing to do with waking up.
I m talking about being aware and mindful as a writer, knowing the names of trees and plants. Noticing the light and how it s hitting a tree or hitting the chrome on a car. That comes with practice. It s pretty nice if you re talented, but it will only take you so far. Work takes you a lot further.