Lightening up
Whew ... that was some heavy stuff, folks. Good, but heavy. Let's lighten up a little after that, shall we? I know I need to, before I take off for the weekend. A few amusing things--
Slate's Dear Prudence advice column features a question (the first one) that would make a fantastic premise for a short story, novel, or play. Advice columns seem like such a good source for writers; I wonder if anyone uses them as such? Last spring, I had the delightful experience of seeing a play about myself (well, about Miss Conduct, who was described in said play as "an extremely prim and proper woman in her 50s"--!) at the Cambridge School of Weston. A student wrote a terrific short one-act about a romance writer who, whenever she couldn't figure out the next plot twist, would write in to Miss Conduct as one of her novel's characters. (The play was performed at their annual festival of student one-acts.) I wonder if anyone really does that? If I get any particularly juicy and urgent questions next November I guess I'll know.
Does anyone know of any books, plays, or movies about advice columnists besides Miss Lonelyhearts (which I know every intelligent person is supposed to love, but I loathe)? When I was in junior high I read a YA novel about a girl who started an advice column for her school paper and the complications that ensued. I can't remember the name of the book or author (she was a popular YA writer, I remember that much)--if anyone does know it, I'd be grateful for a memory jog.
In response to my little GPS ode below, a reader sent in this Youtube link to the Otis Redding original. Enjoy!
Oh, and I'll be on CN8 this Monday at 7:35 a.m., talking about medical etiquette! This Sunday's issue of the magazine is a special medical issue, and in addition to my column I wrote a feature about the awkward social situations that crop up in doctors' offices. Lots of you sent me questions about that, which helped guide the feature, so thank you!
Stay warm & safe, y'all.
Comment
Permalink
E-mail
Who is Miss Conduct?
Robin Abrahams writes the weekly "Miss Conduct" column for The Boston Globe Magazine. Robin, who has a PhD in psychology from Boston University, has worked as a theater publicist, organizational-change communications manager, editor, stand-up comedian, and professor of psychology and English. She lives in Cambridge with her husband, Marc Abrahams, founder of the Ig Nobel Prizes, which are given annually for achievements that first make people laugh and then make them think.
