Writers are arrogant pretenders. We freely usurp identities, characteristics, ideas, thoughts, voices of people we imagine as characters in our books and stories. These are all part of our craft—our toolbox—of storytelling. We step over the boundary between reality and fiction when we decide we also have the right, indeed the obligation, to speak for […]
Suppose You Give a Party…
Many of us experience trepidations when we offer something of ourselves to others. The classic and often humorous question, “Suppose I give a Party and nobody comes?” is all the more poignant for actors, dancers, artists and writers who are always at the mercy of “invited” guests when they exhibit, perform or publish a work […]
The Tyranny of Popularity
From the time we begin the socialization process of leaving the cosseted safety of our family home (sometimes as early as a few weeks old), we are encouraged – even coerced – into wanting to be popular. Popular means that we fit in, follow the crowd, don’t stand out; stay in line, do as you […]