Words of wisdom (sort of)

On living in NYC

Park: I like living in New York—a stimulating city, good for writing. I like being busy and being in the thick of things, even though I never go anywhere and only communicate via e-mail. I don’t know if I’d feel like a failure if I left, but I’m going to try not to leave.

Strauss: It’s a mixed bag. There’s so much ambition, it can feel literally stifling. You’re pressed down by the weight of it. At the same time, it can’t hurt to be close to publishers and agents, and it is rewarding to be a part of a writers’ community. Cheesy as that sounds, it’s true.

Sorrentino: Once upon a time, maybe. But, you know, it’s so diffuse now. Today I pledge eternal fealty to New York, tomorrow I’m happily ensconced in a three-year appointment at USC, or something.

Ames: If you’re living here and paying the rent from writing, then you should feel good. Then again, I’ve been paying the rent for several years and I don’t necessarily feel good. I don’t feel bad, either. I’m just kind of holding my breath and waiting for enlightenment. But if you don’t breathe, according to the yogis, then you won’t get enlightenment. So I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.

NEXT: DEFINITION OF SUCCESS »

The authors

Jonathan Ames
Essayist (I Love You More than You Know) and novelist (Wake Up, Sir!)

Tao Lin
Novelist, poet (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), blogger

Fiona Maazel
Author of Last Last Chance

Ed Park
The Believer coeditor and author of Personal Days

Christopher Sorrentino
Author of Sound on Sound and the NBA-nominated Trance

Amanda Stern
Curator of the Happy Ending Series and author of The Long Haul

Darin Strauss
Novelist (Chang and Eng and More than It Hurts You)

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Time Out New York / Issue 669 : Jul 22–30, 2008

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