Reflections on the many and far-flung fields that writing can touch upon, from original inspiration to the final work. Wizards. Metaphysics. Verbs. Fairy tales in all their varied glory. Royalty. Time, how to measure it and how to talk about it. Elves. Piracy. The end of empires. The sword and the sorcery and how they might work together, or not. Past perfect voice. Blue curtains. And more.