The Misanthrope’s Corner

Nora Ephron likes to tell a story about the advice she got from her screenwriter mother: Never regret any experience, no matter how grisly or boring, because “Everything is copy.” Translated from writer’s shoptalk, you can get a column out of anything, and that’s just what I am about to do because I am writing this in the middle of moving to a new apartment.

I could have told NR about the move and asked them to send in a pinch hitter until I got settled, but I shrank from doing that. It’s simply a matter of honor: I’ve never missed a deadline in my life, and I refuse to start now. Even more important, I don’t want any Gentle Readers on my conscience. So many of you write me heartfelt testimonials such as, “Reading your column keeps me sane,” and, “If I turned to the last page and you weren’t there, I’d consider suicide,” that I’ve been experiencing a twinge each time I write Fragile on a carton. Besides, I have no choice: The rug cleaners just left and I can’t move from this spot until everything dries, so I might as well write something.

About the Author

Florence King

Florence King was a contributing editor of National Review.

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Nora Ephron likes to tell a story about the advice she got from her screenwriter mother: Never regret any experience, no matter how grisly or boring, because “Everything is copy.” Translated from writer’s shoptalk, you can get a column out of anything, and that’s just what I am about to do because I am writing this in the middle of moving to a new apartment.

I could have told NR about the move and asked them to send in a pinch hitter until I got settled, but I shrank from doing that. It’s simply a matter of honor: I’ve never missed a deadline in my life, and I refuse to start now. Even more important, I don’t want any Gentle Readers on my conscience. So many of you write me heartfelt testimonials such as, “Reading your column keeps me sane,” and, “If I turned to the last page and you weren’t there, I’d consider suicide,” that I’ve been experiencing a twinge each time I write Fragile on a carton. Besides, I have no choice: The rug cleaners just left and I can’t move from this spot until everything dries, so I might as well write something.