"I don't think most people realize--and there's no reason they should--the amount of demeaning garbage you have to take if you want a career in the arts. I mean, going off to med school is something you can say with your head high. Or being a banker or going into insurance or the family business--no problem. But the conversations I had with grown-ups after college... "So you're done with school now, Bill." "That's right." "So what's next on the agenda?" Pause. Finally I would say it: "I want to be a writer." And then they would pause. "A writer." "I'd like to try." Third and final pause. And then one of two inevitable replies: either "What are you going to do next?" or "What are you really going to do?" That dread double litany... What are you going to do next?... What are you really going to do?... What are you going to do next?... What are you really going to do...?"