John Barth about himself, the story of a writer and a conversation: A drummer in an ocean of stories

Au cours de cet automne 1925, il était troublé parce que je ne voulais pas lui montrer le manuscrit du Soleil se lève aussi. Je lui avais expliqué que le texte ne signifiait rien tant que je ne l’avais pas revu et récrit et que je ne voulais encore en parler ni le montrer à personne.

unknown landscapes. Again and again a man full of years is merely the corroboration of the dreams of his youth. The sense of fancy growing out of the sense of fact—which makes all healthy personalities and gives a touch of romance and glory to all of life—first appears as the unrestrained imaginings of youth.

Yet a life of creativity is all about change—moving forward, taking chances, exploring new frontiers. “The real risk is in not changing,” said saxophonist John Coltrane. “I have to feel that I’m after something. If I make money, fine. But I’d rather be striving. It’s the striving, man, it’s that I want.”