I need an audience to look at what I've done so I can understand it, so I can step back and watch them respond and figure out what they're understanding about what I'm trying to do and what they're confused about.

I just don't really think of career. I've never been driven by career.

You can't be theoretical when you're building a musical.

I'm a very laid-back person.

Hopefully my books are improving. One of the ways I find motivation to improve is looking at someone who is already at a high level and continues to get better with each book. That's really what you want to emulate.

I think that what's been holding composers back a great deal is that they feel they must have a new style every year. This, in my case, would be hopeless. In fact, it is said that I have no style at all, but that doesn't matter. I just go on doing, as they say, my thing. I believe this takes a certain courage.

As long as you keep going, you'll keep getting better. And as you get better, you gain more confidence. That alone is success.

In adversity, you have to find motivation to continue and do well.