The second half of the '60s really was a kind of learning period in terms of writing for me.

Early on it's good to develop the ability to write. Learning to write is a useful exercise even if what you're writing about is not that relevant.

Writing is learning to say nothing more cleverly each day.

Part of the joy of music is listening to lots of different kinds of music and learning from it. Specifically for me I like writing songs that move me and what moves me are beautiful songs on the piano or the guitar and really really heavy music.

Probably having fallen in love with music and movies at a young age and then first learning about writing by kind of following the path of writers like Dave Marsh and Lester Bangs and being a rock journalist.

I began learning the sportswriting business very early in life.

The hardest thing was learning to write. I was 13 and the only writing I had done was for Social Studies. It consisted of copying passages right out of the encyclopedia.

Also they don't understand - writing is language. The use of language. The language to create image the language to create drama. It requires a skill of learning how to use language.

That folk music led to learning to play and making things up led to what turns out to be the most lucrative part of the music business - writing because you get paid every time that song gets played.

I'm writing a book and working on my one-woman show Learning To Be Human.