Point and Shoot, Florida (YU)--Heap once worked as a consultant to a mental health center, writing a grant for them. He was an experienced proposal writer, and a grant was like a new business proposal.

There was a sign in the employee lounge that said Carpe Donut.

Heap figured out that this meant Seize the Donut, by analogy with Carpe Diem, which meant Seize the Day.

I think seize the day means if you see an opportunity coming, seize it, because it might not come again.

At Tulane, Heap signed up for Thesis, to draw his stipend, and be eligible for a student loan in an equal amount, went home, and started writing.

The second semester, he did the same thing.

He got Tulane for a year, a fellowship year. He called himself a DIY Fellow.

DIY stood for do-it-yourself.

Anything you have to do, you have to go on and do yourself, Rahsaan Roland Kirk said.

Don't wait for conditions to be right, for other people to encourage or support you.

Do it.

Heap didn't know what his legacy would be, but it wouldn't be, He missed his chance.

It wouldn't be, He saw his chance, but didn't take it.

Heap gave himself a year to learn to write.

By writing.

He rolled a sheet of paper, a yellow second sheet, and a sheet of carbon paper into his Olympia portable typewriter, and started writing.

September 1, 1971.