How very true. I think it was once I learned to embrace this idea that writing is communication and therefore a participatory rather than passive activity, and that every reader of your writing is in essence creating a part of that writing themselves, my writing *really* kicked into high gear. It's true, it's a little like art appreciation, you can run away from, say, Abstract Expressionism (or any form of abstraction) for a long long time, but if you stop and let it offer you its merits you can learn a lot more than simply shutting your eyes and walking the well-trod path. In fact, I think it's pretty essential in understanding Salinger's fiction and going beyond the obvious questions of setup, conflict, climax, resolution, or what have you. And it's *absolutely* essential in watching `Lost Highway', but if you can get past the initial reaction of `what the hell was that???' it'll give you food for thought for days. (damn it, now your messages are doing the Invisible Ink thing too! I must check my settings here on this clunky ol' computer) (: Camille verona_beach@geocities.com @ THE ARTS HOLE http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/6442 @ THE INVERTED FOREST http://www.angelfire.com/pa/invertedforest me pierce wrote: > > Good, good stuff. But not for everyone. Just like Salinger (: Beautifully said, Camille--so cogent, that I am off to find this Lost Highway you refer to. I had no intention of doing so despite other posts, but this one got to me. How many times have I chastised a student for not understanding that the reading--that even life--is about the experience --not entertainment! Thanks for reminding me, Camille. I shall not run from Lynch,again. If you want to know the truth, I ran from Nine Stories for quite some time. You have to be willing to let go of your "O Henry expectations" and just go with it--don't try to make sense of Teddy--just go with the experience and you will find many gifts. -- M.E. Pierce Dept. of English, SFASU http://TITAN.SFASU.EDU/~f_pierceme/ "Are you a nobody too?" --The Belle of Amherst