In college I once took a class called "California Literature," and I don't remember much about it except that one of the required reading books was What Makes Sammy Run? and the teacher was Carolyn See. Have you read this book? It's all about how the ruthless, tirelessly ambitious people climb over everyone else to get ahead. It's a pretty good read, actually. It's also one of those books you're proud to have read when you hear someone on TV mention, "He's one of the Sammy Glicks of the world," and you actually understand the reference. Or maybe you only feel proud if you're a big book nerd like me.

Anyway, I remember Carolyn See as being kind of an ex-hippy type. I remember having the overwhelming feeling that she thought writing classes were kind of ... unnecessary? Her attitude struck me as, "Well, if I have to assign something for you all to read, these books will do." She didn't seem to have much passion for teaching the class. I don't know, maybe I'm remembering it a little differently than the way it actually was. So, she's written a book about writing. Who hasn't written a book about writing, these days?