I had wanted for so many years to feel that writing really was at the center of my life, not something I did in my spare time. So the writing and teaching feel in some way to be one thing - the personal engagement and the social engagement good partners.
I came to teaching late - not until my forties - which is one reason why I'm not burned out.
What I like about teaching is the discipline of finding words to unpack the artistic process. And I admire the drive in students who want to write, the mystery of how artistic talent unfolds.
For me teaching has provided community and livelihood and the satisfaction of passing along what I've learned to others.
