Book excerpt: The writings in this book started as a way to frame letters to friends, expressing thoughts about a particular moment. But as I became more alone over the ten-year span, it was as if I had to talk to myself. Its interesting how one becomes. One form of this is by talking to yourself as you write about them. These Writings covers the ups and downs of the years, the risks taken, the winnings and losings, and other memories. It is a collection of thoughts in solitude about becoming an island that nearly washed away but has reformed, has recovered, and has moved forward.