You must champion meaning, not beauty, because it is the better bet—or the lesser absurdity.
Eating an Elephant
The writer, quite possibly even better than the historian or the psychologist, knows that the trappings of civilization are but a thin veneer.
The writer, quite possibly even better than the historian or the psychologist, knows that the trappings of civilization are but a thin veneer.
An Idea for a Novel
I think we’d agree that the seed for a novel exists in every conversation we overhear and in every stray sight we see.
I think we’d agree that the seed for a novel exists in every conversation we overhear and in every stray sight we see.
Gay Mayors
In our democratic, pluralistic society we stand committed to the ideas of tolerance and diversity.
In our democratic, pluralistic society we stand committed to the ideas of tolerance and diversity.
The Pain of Perfect Little Parks
Beauty has its dangers, but also its phenomenal rewards.
Beauty has its dangers, but also its phenomenal rewards.
Three Week Books
Isn’t it an open question how much more quickly we might complete things if we challenged ourselves?
Isn’t it an open question how much more quickly we might complete things if we challenged ourselves?
Privilege and the Place Vendôme
The Place Vendôme represents the negative aspects of privilege: privilege as a protected world, exclusionary and defensive, not wanting to be troubled by those it considers inferior.
The Place Vendôme represents the negative aspects of privilege: privilege as a protected world, exclusionary and defensive, not wanting to be troubled by those it considers inferior.
The Museum When it Opens
Although you are in Paris to write, you will also sightsee; and one place you don’t want to miss is the Musée d’Orsay.
Although you are in Paris to write, you will also sightsee; and one place you don’t want to miss is the Musée d’Orsay.
Lessons From Apricots
Taking the bad with the good is a principle that writers need to learn.
Taking the bad with the good is a principle that writers need to learn.
Pure Flâneur
The flâneur is an observer who wanders the streets of a great city on a mission to notice with childlike enjoyment the smallest events and the obscurest sights he encounters.
The flâneur is an observer who wanders the streets of a great city on a mission to notice with childlike enjoyment the smallest events and the obscurest sights he encounters.
Gargoyles in Paris
Read up on gargoyles. They are very Parisian.
Read up on gargoyles. They are very Parisian.
A Day in the Place des Vosges
You feel at home in Paris because the things that you care about—strolling, thinking, loving, creating—are built into the fabric of the city.
You feel at home in Paris because the things that you care about—strolling, thinking, loving, creating—are built into the fabric of the city.
A Degree in Paris
Paris has served as muse to generations of artists, even to those who have never visited her.
Paris has served as muse to generations of artists, even to those who have never visited her.
On Not Speaking French
How might you talk yourself out of going to Paris?
How might you talk yourself out of going to Paris?
Writing in Public Places
You may want to elevate your passion for writing to the level of faith.
You may want to elevate your passion for writing to the level of faith.
Paris and Intimacy
This is the perfect place to test your skills as an unselfconscious writer.
This is the perfect place to test your skills as an unselfconscious writer.