I USED TO TELL PEOPLE that I followed my instinct when making artistic and career decisions. But these days I am more likely to say that I follow my interest. The fine songwriter Dan Wilson once told me he thought interest is what makes the world go ’round, second only to the will to survive. It might seem like semantics, but these language cues make a difference to me. I’m compelled to turn corners and pages out of interest, not because of instinct. Whenever I’ve announced, “I’m going with my instincts on this one,” I’ve felt like I was throwing down a challenge against all advice, facts, or
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