What writing is...

"We are lonesome animals. We spend all of our life trying to be less
lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the
listener to say -- and to feel -- ‘Yes, that is the way it is, or at
least that is the way I feel it.’ You’re not as alone as you thought. " 
- John Steinbeck

“If we had to say what writing is, we would describe it essentially as an act of courage.”  - Cynthia Ozick

Images above: Beauty and the Beast illustrations by Mercer Mayer and Eleanor Vere Boyle; and a photo of me and my own little beast, taken last month in Devon by Victoria Windling-Gayton. I'm still in New York, where Howard is joining me today. (Don't worry, Tilly, we'll be home soon!)