Comments on: On Being Smart

By: Ana

Ana — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:49:36 +0000

Which writer was it? I 'm so curious!

By: Dani

Dani — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:32:29 +0000

It actually wasn't Susan Sontag I was talking about... I can't say who it was, because I wouldn't want to insult another writer, dead or alive (in this case, alive). I did go to SLC as an undergrad. Studied with Grace, briefly with Russell Banks, and most memorably with Jerry Badanes, a wonderful novelist and teacher who died too young. I got to know Doctorow when I taught with him a decade later at NYU and wished I had been able to study with him!

By: mobydoug

mobydoug — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 01:53:44 +0000

I'm going to guess the smarty you were talking about is Susan Sontag. Ever heard "You can't write and think at the same time"? Her fiction was never up to the level of her critical writing...... Thanks for your discussion of the creative process. I'm reading your blog, but I should be writing..... Did you go to Sarah Lawrence as an undergrad, as well? I did. Grace Paley was a luminous presence, eh? I went there long ago, studied with Ed Doctorow, who couldn't have been nicer or more inspiring.

By: radha

radha — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:33:39 +0000

totally true. writing is a spotaneous act which should not be restricted by oversmartness or overthinking, the best pieces of writing just flow with our being, with our most natural self which is innately relaxed,open, receptive,alert. too much smartness seems pollution and impurity of our character.... I cant wait to read all the moments of being here enclosed, very glad to hav found this blog ~