Don't put anything important in your stories you don't use all through. To me, this is what's fun for the writer and fun, too, in reading. - Carol Emshwiller

I don't know where my "meanings" come from. I just try to write a good well formed story. I guess the meaning is just part of me and pops out by itself.

Favorite SF author? Lots. Barry Malzburg, Fritz Leiber, Tom Disch, Damon Knight. . .

I'm a firm believer that your ideas come from the writing itself. I never have any until I start to write. And my mind is on structure most of the time (and on linking). I used to say that kept my conscious mind busy so my subconscious mind could work on more important things.