Our Lesson For Today

re: Our Lesson For Today

robert_santini — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:15:43 GMT

Mr. Strauss,

I have LOVED your columns. You are obviously a master of language, and your posts are very funny. I make sure always to read them -- it's my favorite part of the site. A welcome addition. But I think this one will irritate a lot of people. It is, like you say, really easy for you -- with all your success and obvious skill -- to sit there and say, "Don't do what i did." You obviously did it. So why discourage others?

re: Our Lesson For Today

Lizzy_Hewlett — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:25:36 GMT

I agree with robert_s.

As an aspiring writer, I've been following this blog with real excitement. i really liked your one about the reading in LA, and the one about your bookparty, and also the one about you rstalker. You've been inspirational and funny and have had a lot of really good writing. (I went out and bought your new book and also Chang & Eng because of this blog). But I appreciate your trying to help, it seems like a case of, it's easy for you to say. You are already a famous writer.

Still, you have cute kids.

re: Our Lesson For Today

Darin Strauss — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:52:30 GMT

Lizzy & Robert,

thanks for all the kind words. I don't mean to be discouraging; but it's a tough time for writers. Major newspapers are closing their book review sections, for one thing. And also, it's never an easy path. I only felt impelled to mention it because it seems everyone I meet wants to quit his job and become a writer. I thought it'd be helpful to have an honest appraisal of the difficulties involved.

All the same, I hope I didn't discourage you. And thanks again for reading, and for being so nice.

-Darin

re: Our Lesson For Today

sandy footprints — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:41:55 GMT

Mr. Strauss,

I think it was irresponsible of you to post that picture on your blog. In the future, please consider inserting a warning message preceding an image that overpoweringly adorable. Seriously. They are RIDICULOUSLY cute. I understand you have to tour and everything. But how can you leave those little faces?!

I suppose the difficulties of being a writer must make one insane somewhere along the way. Maybe aspiring writers should consider that when deciding to undertake a career in writing.