The good life: a textured blend of good writing (including not yet published); the dark, rich world of cinema; good music; playing outdoors; the things animals try to tell us (I try to listen well); a decent-length run through the bush (guarantees a plot or concept breakthrough); eavesdropping; a long line of women who taught me about process (don't want what you haven't got, just get up and get on with it to make the best of what's here, and build towards it); morning mists; wild, ranging discussions about viewpoint and language; all of it better if taken in the company of any of a small handful of bright and treasured real friends, some of whom are also writers.