Talent is extremely common. What is rare is the willingness to endure the life of a writer.

Kurt Vonnegut, jr

 Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man wanted to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.

L. Ron Hubbard

Science fiction writers do have their blink spots despite the fact that we’re all geniuses, we’ll all marvelous people, and some of us can spell.

Isaac Asimov

A holiday bonus from Mr. Valentine, who is also an oboist– the Overture to the Nutcracker ballet, as played by the  Karpos Oboe Ensemble: