When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen. — Ernest Hemingway. American author and journalist (1899–1961) Listening
When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people, not characters. A character is a caricature.
His talent was as natural as the pattern that was made by the dust on a butterfly's wings. At one time he understood it no more than the butterfly did and he did not know when it was brushed or marred. Later he became conscious of his damaged wings and of their construction and he learned to think and could not fly any more because the love of flight was gone and he could only remember when it had been effortless.
The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.