Goodreads asked David A. Wimsett:

How do you get inspired to write?

David A. Wimsett I had written many stories and poems in my teens and had even started two novels that went nowhere. I took a novel writing course from an author named Leonard Bishop at the UC Berkeley extension. He was a little rough around the edges, but he was never cruel. He gave direct, honest critiques. Each week, he select two manuscripts and read them in front of the class to teach a point. Everyone in the class would comment, then Leonard would give his opinion. He read and commented on a piece I had written. I thought the writing was excellent and was certain Leonard would too. He picked it apart and pointed out defect after defect. Everything he said was right, of course, but it stung pretty badly. Then he said, “I want you people to realize something. Mr. Wimsett has an innate grasp of the dramatic.” I left the classroom shaken and walked to the intersection of Dwight and Telegraph. There, on the Northeast corner was a wire trashcan. I starred at it. Then I said to myself, "OK. This is it. Either you accept that the manuscript is flawed and you need to listen to Leonard to discover how to fix it or you throw this paper in the trashcan and never write again. I chose to accept criticism. That is when I became a writer

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