If only the story itself were not so boring, I decided, then it might even have been publishable.
-- Erich Ackermann (Part 1- Chapter 2 | Copenhagen)

Importance: Early in the novel, Erich clearly states the major problem that Maurice Swift faces as an aspiring author. He has some talent as a writer, but he lacks the creativity to come up with good story ideas. So even though he has some talent to produce interesting prose, the stories simply fall flat and are uninteresting. Publishers will never be interested in his work without a captivating story line.

Everyone has secrets. There's something in all our pasts that we wouldn't want to be revealed. Look around the foyer next time you're there and ask yourself, What would each of these people prefer that I didn't know about them? And that's where you'll find your story.
-- Erich Ackermann (Part I - Chapter 2 | Copenhagen)

Importance: Erich is encouraging young Maurice that he should not give up on writing but instead keep...