Initially I avoided macros and simply learnt to write "flow-oriented" small programs in Scheme. It took a while to get used to not using many intermediate vari

Initially I avoided macros and simply learnt to write "flow-oriented" small programs in Scheme. It took a while to get used to not using many intermediate variables and simply feeding the output of one function into the next. Once I started seeing patterns I found myself writing small general purpose functions from which I could assemble larger more complex functions. BTW it is important realise that Common Lisp and Scheme have significant differences. Personally I prefer gnuScheme. I hear that many business applications prefer to use SBCL.