Swimming Lessons

by Claire Fuller

“Secret truths,” you said, “are the lifeblood of a writer. Your memories and your secrets. Forget plot, character, structure; if you’re going to call yourself a writer, you need to stick your hand in the mire up to the wrist, the elbow, the shoulder, and drag out your darkest, most private truth.” You came forwards and squatted on the floor in front of us.

Fiction is about readers. Without readers there is no point in books, and therefore they are as important as the author, perhaps more important.