Today we have a string of fabulists (to name just a few of the most prominent) such as Janet Cooke, Stephen Glass, and Jayson Blair; reporters with eyes on the prize such as Judith Miller; other reporters whose front page stories are suspiciously placed coincidentally with pre-sale trade promotions of forthcoming books, e.g., the NYT’s James Risen.

I believe it was Emerson who said that the institution is the shadow of a man. The man was Truman Capote; however, his heirs, far less talented, have twisted writer participation to a point where fantasy merges with reality (ala James Frey) and readers are left simply scratching their heads.

Let’s certainly hope that I never reach that point, although I make no guarantees. 🙂

Eric

The pathos of Greek tragedy seems to laugh at a human nature that stands on the brink of sanity or self destruction and with cat like blind fascination throws itself into an enterprise that will consume them. Then we bemoan the absurdity we create for ourselves in epic. The Civil War is such an enigma. Charlotte! Quelle stupid!

I would think that a creative person sane enough to keep his day job to humor his muse won’t have to suffer the fate of a Capote. On the other hand: if I hear tell of a lawyer gone to wearing a Major General of Cavalry’s tunic and tutu, living in his basement with his favorite horse, spewing 2000 page manus no publisher will touch, well; I’ll figue out what befell one EW…. ROFLMAO.

Considering your hard headed acceptance of the mercantile value of your legal profession as a means to support your writing habit, I don’t think you have to worry too much of images of the consumed artist falling in a narcissitic abyss :).

Then again, if I hear of a certain lawyer whose gone to wearing a major genral of cavalry’s tunic and tutu, who lives in his basement with his pet horse, I’ll know it’s you….