I think that everything you do helps you to write if you're a writer. Adversity and success both contribute largely to making you what you are. If you don't experience either one of those, you're being deprived of something.
“I think Jim got screwed. I think Jim Bakker would have been a great preacher. Jim Bakker was very good at what he did.”
“I've taught fifth-year Christmas leavers last thing on a Friday afternoon. Basically, if you can face that you can face anything.”