Whenever I feel negative I just remember that I'm not drowning in a vat of rat urine, so I can't be doing that bad.

Or I read Dostoevsky, which always cheers me up. And I remember how he said that he did his best work whilst in prison, so then I think, well even if I do somehow end up in prison, I could at least write a decent story. That is, if they'd let me have writing implements.

Or I read Bukowski and think, well he was a prime example of who not to be, and he wrote some of the best work of the 20th century, so even if I'm a selfish, hideous, alcoholic jerk, if I apply myself I can do alright.



Does that make you feel better?