Vissi d'Arte: Lorrie Moore fans unite!

For lovers and admirers of American short story writer and novelist Lorrie Moore. No other contemporary writer I've read can match Moore's inimical style and voice. As a great chronicler of interpersonal relationships in American life, group discussions on Moore's miraculous use of language, awkward humor--mixed with hope, despair, rage, bewilderment, tragedy-- and examining themes of love and human connection are highly encouraged. After all, this forum/group is a "place to look for your mind" and make a fan say, "Vissi d'arte!"

"First, try to be something, anything, else. A movie star/astronaut. A movie star/ missionary. A movie star/kindergarten teacher. President of the World. Fail miserably. It is best if you fail at an early age - say, 14. Early, critical disillusionment is necessary so that at 15 you can write long haiku sequences about thwarted desire. It is a pond, a cherry blossom, a wind brushing against sparrow wing leaving for mountain. Count the syllables. Show it to your mom. She is tough and practical. She has a son in Vietnam and a husband who may be having an affair. She believes in wearing brown because it hides spots. She'll look briefly at your writing then back up at you with a face blank as a doughnut. She'll say: ''How about emptying the dishwasher?'' Look away. Shove the forks in the fork drawer. Accidentally break one of the freebie gas station glasses. This is the required pain and suffering. This is only for starters."

--"How to Become a Writer"