I am apt to be harsh in my secret judgments of others, seeing them as defective because they are not enough like me.

The essay must be artistically rendered: You must keep the reader engaged, whether with wit, conflict, mischief, and/or yes, with honesty.

For most of my life, I have wanted broad impact but now, at 72, I'm not so sure that's always my first priority.

I am apt to be harsh in my secret judgments of others, seeing them as defective because they are not enough like me.

Why am I attracted to all these lying quotes all of a sudden? Here’s another one. This one by Phillip Lopate: ‘(Children know it better than adults) that in telling a lie, fidelity is everything.’

My other work, teaching, also is satisfying because I can be with people but in controlled circumstances, which aren't as likely to yield the pain of dealing with family.

I like the freedom that comes with lowered expectations.