The craft of writing

I can summarize my theory about writing entirely in one sentence: the writer should direct their writings to the young people who belong to their generation, and to the critics who will come after them, and to all teachers thereafter. The literary work must seek that effect which comes late in the reader's mind, unlike the art of oratory or philosophy which put people in a state of agitation or contemplation. As you see, the art of the novel is like a trick that deceives the mind and heart, composed of several separate emotions like those used by the magician when performing a trick with their hand or hiding the tough paper. As soon as you master writing literature, you forget it... And when you master it? Oh, every time I start writing, I find myself forced to master it again. But abstract matters are within our reach. That is why I chose this terrible craft that requires much sitting and deprivation of sleep at night and endless dissatisfaction, and for this reason I choose it again.