Preparing to read McSweeney’s Volume 25 (with a story written by Pagett Powell in it) has gotten me nostalgic for the time when our nations pre-eminent humorist, Powell, would wax philosophical to his creative writing workshops.
The following is some of the wisdom he imparted to us, said by Powell and transcribed by Danny Djeljosevic, during workshops in early 2008.
On growing older: “I’ll need some of you to hold my hand, others of you to procure pills…”
On religion: “Jesus is the secret friend that is approved of for adults.”
On criticism: “Good criticism sometimes makes sense in five years… when you can barely remember it.”
On the difficulty of critiquing works with indecipherable plots: “The least I can do is suspect it is perfect and punctuate it for you.”
On symbolism: “Thirty-three is Jesus-y or something.”
On puns: “What’s the opposite of subdued? Superdued?”
On Montana and the worth of MFA Creative Writing programs therein: “In fact, I would recommend as soon as you get there to transfer into Forestry.”
On achievements: “I have a lifetime of aggregate disappointment.”
Speaking of McSweeney’s, please, please, please do yourself a favor and read this interview of Powell in The Believer.
Out popped a dozen people in dark windbreakers identifying them as feds -- agents from Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some raced to the loading docks. Others hurried through the front door. All were armed.
