[He does think about giving her the usual spiel. About it being a breeze, just what comes naturally and how grateful he is for the international response to his books, et cetera, please contain feelings of nausea to the trash can in the corner. ...But they are having a nice time. A nicer time than he has with most people even.

So he crosses his arms and gives her a real answer.]

Depends on what I'm writing. Sometimes it's difficult. Hurts. I try to draw on my own experiences as much as possible. But other times— it's the best feeling in the world. Wouldn't give it up for anything.

[And that is the truth. He may be a sellout, but writing is all he's ever wanted to do and he stuck it out through some hellish situations to make it this far. It's his first wife and his only wife. But anyway...]

Too serious? Who're you starting with. He's got some texts in here I didn't even know exist. Pretty mindblowing.

[Some men are pretty bad about looking themselves in the mirror. Metaphorically speaking. Time for a new subject.]