For me titles are either a natural two-second experience or stressful enough to give you an ulcer. If they don't pop out perfect on the first try they can be really hard to repair. Or worse if the author thinks they pop out perfect but the publishing house does not agree it's difficult to shift gears. And then? Then you go insane.

For me titles are either a natural two-second experience or stressful enough to give you an ulcer. If they don't pop out perfect on the first try they can be really hard to repair. Or worse if the author thinks they pop out perfect but the publishing house does not agree it's difficult to shift gears. And then? Then you go insane.

My mother is a special education teacher but also an artist and my father an advertising executive. They are about as wacky as you can get without being alcoholics.

My mother is a special education teacher but also an artist and my father an advertising executive. They are about as wacky as you can get without being alcoholics.

The year most of my high school friends and I got our driver's permits the coolest thing one could do was stand outside after school and twirl one's car keys like a lifeguard whistle. That jingling sound meant freedom and power.

The year most of my high school friends and I got our driver's permits the coolest thing one could do was stand outside after school and twirl one's car keys like a lifeguard whistle. That jingling sound meant freedom and power.

The Queen of Crafts herself Martha Stewart and I have the same birthday. I prefer to think it's the glue-gun wielding perfect-tart-producing Martha and not the copper pan-throwing jail-going Martha. But I suppose if I am going to share a calendar square with some of Martha I have to share it with all of Martha.

The Queen of Crafts herself Martha Stewart and I have the same birthday. I prefer to think it's the glue-gun wielding perfect-tart-producing Martha and not the copper pan-throwing jail-going Martha. But I suppose if I am going to share a calendar square with some of Martha I have to share it with all of Martha.

Since graduation I have measured time in 4-by-5-inch pieces of paper four days on the left and three on the right. Every social engagement interview reading flight doctor's appointment birthday and dry-cleaning reminder has been handwritten between metal loops.

Since graduation I have measured time in 4-by-5-inch pieces of paper four days on the left and three on the right. Every social engagement interview reading flight doctor's appointment birthday and dry-cleaning reminder has been handwritten between metal loops.

You can't possibly fathom the ins and outs of a prepubescent beauty treatment until you've felt the strange but exhilarating tingle of a cottage-cheese-and-Pop-Rocks facial.

You can't possibly fathom the ins and outs of a prepubescent beauty treatment until you've felt the strange but exhilarating tingle of a cottage-cheese-and-Pop-Rocks facial.