You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.
It has long been a theory of mine and I am known, if I do say so, for my long theories that authors, generally speaking, are rotten letter writers.
The hardest thing to teach young writers is that it's wonderful to tell your truth. And that's what you should do. But it damn well better be beautiful.
Like actors and writers who are on and off again in terms of employment, I had a very unstructured life.