Devin Friedman is a creative storyteller who incorporates observant details in his writings, which makes the readers feel like as if they are part of the adventure. Devin attended the University of Michigan, and he was awarded as the winner of the Hopwood Contest. This contest was hosted by the university committee who appoints experienced judges and the Ann Arbor community to select winners in different writing divisions. In his recent years, Devin wrote for numerous publications such as The Best American Crime Writing, The Best American Travel Writing, The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, Esquire, People's Stories, and GQ. Out of the many articles Friedman has written in the past, “The Best Night $500,000 Can Buy,” “Famous People: James Franco,” and “The Unbearable Awkwardness of Being” are the ones I have chosen to read because of the interesting subject matters and the different writing styles.
The first article, “The Best Night $500,000 Can Buy,” portrays the perfect night out in Las Vegas. Devin chronologically takes the reader through a night in one of the famous clubs in Las Vegas, Marquee. He describes the fundamental marketing techniques that promoters use to lure women into the venue, the prices that high-rollers pay to get a VIP access and tables, and the “shitshow” atmosphere where people are dancing as if they are on Ecstasy (some people are actually on drugs). From personal experience, Las Vegas is definitely the Disney World for adults because people can openly consume alcoholic beverages on Fremont Street while enjoying their time at the arcades, night and day clubs, pools, gambling rooms, theme park rides, shopping centers, restaurants, strip clubs, and wedding chapels. Which ultimately le...
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...ys open to new ideas is most likely the reason why James Franco is so successful today.
Devin Friedman is an interesting writer to analyze because his personable tone with a hint of sarcasm that makes all of the articles entertaining. It is also refreshing to see someone who is not scared to talk about controversial topics such as racism and bisexuality, but knows how to maintain a professional attitude towards it. Although Devin wrote many articles regarding travel, crime, and lifestyle, I wonder if he would ever write a food review. I think it would be interesting to read a food article written by Devin Friedman because he does not seem like the type of person who is scared to tell the truth (with a hint of sarcasm). Every person can write a story, but it is hard to come by a witty person who knows how to capture the moment within the story like Devin Friedman.
Chris Crutcher is a very controversial fiction writer who writes about many different lifestyles and people. His style of writing and use of literary elements reflect his opinions in ways most are not capable of expressing. He incorporates important messages in all of his stories that may be difficult to understand or accept for many people but they are messages that need to be conveyed.
Burro Genius, Book One: The author Victor Villasenor first starts this memoir by telling his readers how dedicated he is to writing his book and how a close friend had told him to give up writing how he had no talent. Yet, he didn’t want to give up writing, he had put so much hard work and energy in his writing he just didn’t want to give up. He had gotten 256 rejections before he became published author. He didn’t care if not a lot of people had reviewed or read his book. All what mattered is he was happy about was getting published. Then one day his agent told him to go to an English teacher convention where authors had talked about their books and give workshops. He was kind of scared about going due to him not having no idea what to do
David McCullough is an: American raised in Pittsburg, PA., one of four children, having five of his own, and several grandchildren. He is nicknamed the “Citizen chronicler” by the Library of Congress and has written over ten books of which received a collection of over ten acclaimed awards and prizes. He also narrated over ten films, hosted a number of television programs, and miniseries. McCullough has been in over forty New York Times articles and won the New York Public Library Lion Award. “People often ask me if I am working on a new book…., I feel like I work in a book” (Personal quote made by David McCullough).
Andi Anderson (Kate Hudson) is a beautiful, young, and successful writer who maintains a “How-To” section in “Composure” magazine. Her dream is to “write about things that matter, like politics and the environment, and foreign affairs- things I’m interested in.” (How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, time stamp 02:00). She knows that the only way she will eventually be able to write about subjects she’s passionate about is to be successful in writing her superficial “How-To” section in the magazine.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is about Hunter S. Thompson’s journey to Las Vegas. He portrays himself as Duke and he goes on a trip with his friend Gonzo. This trip in people’s eyes seems like a disaster. They are drunk and high all the time, which causes them to drive recklessly and be carefree. Duke and Gonzo offer a ride to a hitchhiker and Duke tells him “I want you to know that we’re on our way to Las Vegas to find the American Dream. That’s why we rented this car. It was the only way to do it. Can you grasp that”(2)? The American Dream is finding money and being successful because of all the opportunities America has to offer. Duke came from California to Las Vegas to write an article and he was going to be paid for that article. He could not find money or success in California and so when he got his opportunity he went for it. He wanted to make money and he did try to. When they were at Circus Cir...
_______. Critical Review of Short Fiction. Vol. III 4 vols.. Pasadena, California: Salem Press, 1991.
Las Vegas symbolizes the American Dream and shows the corruption of society. When Duke and his Attorney, Dr. Gonzo, are at the Merry-Go-Round Bar, Dr. Gonzo expresses that the counter-culture of Las Vegas is getting to him. Duke struggles to accept what his Attorney says because he desires the Las Vegas lifestyle. Duke explains to Dr. Gonzo that they cannot leave Las Vegas, “…we’re right in the vortex [and] you want to quit….you must realize...that we’ve found the main nerve’” (Thompson 47-48), but Dr. Gonzo has already realized “…that’s what gives [him] the Fear” (Thompson 48). Duke and his Attorney thought that once they were in Las Vegas, the American Dream would be remarkable; but they realize that the American Dream is not magnificent, there are downsides to it. Witnessing how society acts in the “main nerve” of the American Dream, Dr. Gonzo is stricken with fear because he knows the American Dream is not benefitting him. When Duke looks back at his memories of his journey in...
Zarin, Cynthia. “The Storyteller.” New Yorker 4 Dec. 2014: n. pag. newyorker.com,n.d. Web.19 Feb. 2014.
Many people think that reading more can help them to think and develop before writing something. Others might think that they don’t need to read and or write that it can really help them to brainstorm things a lot quicker and to develop their own ideas immediately (right away). The author’s purpose of Stephen King’s essay, Reading to Write, is to understand the concepts, strategies and understandings of how to always read first and then start something. The importance of this essay is to understand and comprehend our reading and writing skills by brainstorming our ideas and thoughts a lot quicker. In other words, we must always try to read first before we can brainstorm some ideas and to think before we write something. There are many reasons why I chose Stephen King’s essay, Reading to Write, by many ways that reading can help you to comprehend, writing, can help you to evaluate and summarize things after reading a passage, if you read, it can help you to write things better and as you read, it can help you to think and evaluate of what to write about.
Several people have trouble writing college level essays and believe that they are unable to improve their writing skills. In “the Inspired Writer vs. The Real Writer,” Sarah Allen argues how no one is born naturally good at writing. Sarah Allen also states how even professional writers have trouble with the task of writing. Others, such as Lennie Irvin, agree. In Irvin’s article “What is ‘Academic’ Writing?” states how there are misconceptions about writing. Furthermore, Mike Bunn’s article “How to Read Like a Writer” shows ways on how one can improve their writing skills. Allen, Bunn, and Irvin are correct to say how no one is born naturally good writers. Now that we know this, we should find ways to help improve our writing skills, and
Widely respected throughout America, Anna Quindlen is a notable author and columnist who jump started her career as a part-time reporter for the New York Post at the age of 18. After earning her B.A. degree at Barnard College, New York City, Quindlen upgraded to positions as a general columnist, and later deputy metropolitan editor, for the New York Times. Her biweekly column, “About New York,” resulted in her becoming the third woman in all history of the Times to write a regular column for the exclusive and elite op-ed page. Quindlen then went on to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1992. From essays to children’s books to semi-autobiographical novels, Quindlen has been putting her thoughts down on paper for as long as she can remember -- a habit that has certainly paid off, as evidenced by her incredible success. This writer’s duty is to pass on the advice and
“Welcome all! This is a glorious day, as we are beyond excited to have world-class writer Tristan Teichmeier here at the Pulitzer Prize Convention to read off his most recent work of brilliance, an essay on the impact of critical, creative, and independent thinking. Now, without further ado, we introduce to you Tristan Teichmeier.”
John B. Updike is a novelist, poet, short story author, playwright, children’s book author, literary critic, art critic, and essayist. Updike is one of the world’s most versatile, serious, and prolific writers. Though his writing style and subjects vary greatly, he is committed to addressing the moral, social, and cultural conditions of his generation. Updike was born on March 18, 1932 and raised in a small town by the name of Shillington, Pennsylvania, right outside of Reading. He lived there as an only child, until the age of thirteen. As he grew older, he attended Harvard University, where he majored in English and contributed to and later edited the Harvard Lampoon. In 1955 he married his first wife Mary Pennington, with whom he had his four children. After the first marriage was dissolved, he married Martha Bernhard in 1977. They were happily married and lived in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, until his death on January 27, 2009, from lung cancer. Throughout his life he wrote more than 50 books and short stories, one being “Trust Me.” “Trust Me” was written in 1987 and was one of John Updike’s primary works.
and Other Greats : Lessons from the All-star Writer's Workshop. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Print.
Friday afternoon Mike Webster called me out of the blue and simply implored that I accompany him at Blue Lounge’s happy hour. I obliged, for I had no plans for that night, not for lack of alternatives, but for a recent lack of enthusiasm for the usual frivolity of LA’s nightlife. Mike sounded so determined over the phone, which was wholly unlike the Mike I knew from University, that I simply had to take his invitation seriously.