I just don't think that for me, personally,they're useful as a writer, as I'm writing. Thecloset I get is coffee and Sudafed, of which,actually, I'm under the influence now. That's agood combination, actually.
Maybe I'll try it sometime. Do you have anyadvice to an aspiring writer?
Don't get in my way.
Any message you'd like to project to Harvardstudents? We are the cultural elite, you know.
Yeah, I know. This is what I'd like. First ofall, we've already talked about the fact that it'simportant to buy this book. But I think that it'simportant for people to look at the book not as abook of fiction, necessarily. I think this willparticularly help Harvard students, because Ithink they're ready for what I'm really trying todo. My books are just the beginning of a muchlarger plan.
Is it secret, or can you tell me?
It's secret, but the way that I'm bringingtogether the people that will be with me at theend is through this book. These people will knowwho they are once they've read the book. I thinkpeople should look at my book in the same way thatpeople look at L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics.There are answers in my book.
So you aspire to cult helmsmanship?
Well, of course. People have been saying thatfor a long time, but they don't take it seriously.And I'm gonna--we will all have the last laugh.
Mark Leyner will be appearing at theCharlesbank Bookstore on October 28 from 7 to 8pm.