Excerpt

The writer, his eye on the finish line, never gave enough thought to how to run the race.

My real purpose was to give writers a new mentality, one they could apply to whatever writing projects they might try thereafter, allowing as much time as they need for the journey.

Moral: any time you can tell a story in the form of a quest or a pilgrimage you'll be ahead of the game. Readers bearing their own associations will do some of your work for you.

Writing is related to character. If your values are sound, your writing will be sound. It all begins with intention. Figure out what you want to do and how you want to do it, and work your way with humanity and integrity to the completed article.

我们为何而写作?卖出文章从来不是写作的目的，尤其对非虚构写作来说。无论是人物还是地方或者回忆录，提笔的一刹那，一定有什么东西触动到自己。

Vocabulary

1.I said I was reluctant to suggest one because the idea of the course was to think our way collectively to possible solutions.

relucatant:If you are reluctant to do something, you are unwilling to do it and hesitate before doing it, or do it slowly and without enthusiasm.勉强的，不情愿的。

reluctantly adv不情愿地

reluctance n不愿意，勉强，磁阻

2.There was a small gasp in the classroom.

gasp:

n A gasp is a short quick breath of air that you take in through your mouth, especially when you are surprised, shocked, or in pain.喘息，喘气

v When you gasp, you take a short quick breath through your mouth, especially when you are surprised, shocked, or in pain.喘息，喘气

the last gasp: You describe something as the last gasp to emphasize that it is the final part of something or happens at the last possible moment.最后阶段

3.That release from immediacy was what I wanted to get into the metabolism of my students.

metabolism:Your metabolism is the way that chemical processes in your body cause food to be used in an efficient way, for example to make new cells and to give you energy.新陈代谢