Stories are boats. They can be plain or they can be beautiful, but they are all vehicles, and their job is to take you somewhere. I got that from Lookfar, Ged’s boat in A Wizard of Earthsea. When I think about writing, I think about building boats. Ursula K. Le Guin’s boats did their job supremely well. I’m grateful she built so many of them.

“They tied up the boat Lookfar, that had borne them to the coasts of death’s kingdom and back, and went up through the narrow streets to the wizard’s house. Their hearts were very light as they entered into the firelight and warmth under that roof; and Yarrow ran to meet them then, crying with joy.” – A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin