I turn to Patrick Swayze for many reasons. In Roadhouse, he says to the wannabe bouncers: Be nice. It works for almost everything.

Just as water finds many paths, the generative flows in countless directions, depending on the day and the mountain or mind. Sometimes talking shop with friends grounds perspective, builds momentum and vision; other times discussion roadblocks the work so that a glass of wine at a cafe table alone is a go-to. Interaction with social media can act as a springboard; whereas workshopping with students might rupture the site where idea meets practice and the detritus shape-shifts, free-flowing for having begun with no agenda. No one policy accesses a jackpot each time; I’m always on the lookout.

Never take advice from other writers.

Writers on Craft is a new monthly interview series that concerns itself with querying a diverse population of published authors to speak to their perceptions about the nature of craft.