Barry, that’s fascinating — to have taught his book — what a great class that must have been. Reading his book is like an explosion of ideas. No fluff. Every sentence makes the reader think.

I enjoy the way he talks about the different ways ego creeps in. Getting attached to descriptions, using big words, lofty words, run-on sentences.

On the novel — yes! I have done the same. Many a book I’ve not finished because when it wasn’t ego rearing its ugly head it droned. Lots of that here on Medium, too.

Have you read Zinsser’s blog posts on The American Scholar? They’re really enjoyable. The world lost an amazing mind the day he passed.

Thanks so much for reading and leaving this comment. Nice to run across someone who taught his work.