The O. Henry has become lingua franca among writers for saying, 'That guy can write a story.' It's prestigious, respected, coveted, dreamed about. It….

Nicaragua is a World Bank and International Monetary Fund designated "heavily indebted poor country," with little legal ability to control its econom….

Discipline is what makes a writer. If writing was like lifting weights, then I'd look like Mr. Universe. Write every day. Give the Muse a chance to g….

In a way, 'On the Road''s greatest victory is that nobody's eyes will be opened any longer by reading it; the last time I met any young people who we….

I once waited on Sean Connery. A long time ago. This was at the Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh. They closed down the restaurant for him, and when he w….

In the time it takes American literary titan William H. Gass to write a novel, other artists have been born, completed their life's work and died. Th….

Every gift is held by two hands: the one that gives, and the one that takes away..

When I grew up in the early '90s, the new World Wide Web felt like a gimmick, and I had no idea of the changes in store. In the summers, I'd backpack….

I have no doubt that 'On the Road' is a Great American Novel. But I'm also certain my students will do fine without it..

I should be writing a poem every morning but I'm not..

When I first read 'On the Road,' it helped me figure out how to live against the grain. Now I wonder how to be subversive when the subversive has bec….