When you use words, you're able to keep your mind alive. Writing is my way of reaffirming my own existence.

When you use words, you're able to keep your mind alive. Writing is my way of reaffirming my own existence.

Writing eases my suffering... writing is my way of reaffirming my own existence.

In the grand tradition, both Chinese and Western painting have a close link with literature,

For me, writing [was] a question of survival...I could not trust anyone, even my family. The atmosphere was so poisoned. People even in your own family could turn you in.

In the history of literature there are many great enduring works which were not published in the lifetimes of the authors. If the authors had not achieved self-affirmation while writing, how could they have continued to write?