Richards discusses his influences, and how they tend to be more philosophically than stylistically influential. He disclaims his supposed anti-scholarly, anti-academic reputation, putting it in the context of a single remark he once made. Thoughtless reviews are much more bothersome than academe. His novels are largely character-driven, and are not about the Miramichi. He claims to be writing about everyone. He laments the paucity of financial rewards and recognition for writers in Canada.
