I feel a bit embarrassed writing about myself. It suggests the individual is at the centre, whereas I believe the group or community is. It also directs attention to the person instead of what is written, the thing itself. Also, it extols the artist instead of the tradition which he represents.

What I've written is more important than what I am. ‘I could bear anything in my life,’ a New York friend said once, ‘except being misunderstood’. Perhaps writing it all down is one way of making sure you aren’t misunderstood ... except often it’s hard to write with the passion you feel.