Gwenda

In light of the revelation that Mister Ass Chin’s wife helps him write those blockbusters, the Guardian has a story looking at the history of famous writers whose wives assisted with composition. I’m probably the only person in the world who didn’t know this part already, but:

Without a doubt the most extreme example of this sort of arrangement, however, is that of Henry Gauthier-Villars. He was a hugely famous French critic in the early part of the 20th century. His most famous work was probably the Claudine series, which he published under his pseudonym, Willy. These turned out to have actually been written by his young wife, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who Gauthier-Villars would lock in a room until she had written the requisite number of pages. Somewhat understandably, Sidonie-Gabrielle soon divorced her husband and became a celebrated author in her own right of books which she published under her surname, Colette.

Henceforth, you shall be called Mister Ass Chin.

(My apologies to your delicate sensibilities.)

It hardly seems fair that Bernice McFadden has The Dead to help write her books:

Yes, I believe the dead talk to me, or through me — whichever claim makes you less uncomfortable.

I see more than I hear. For me the experience of communicating with the dead is more like watching a movie. Technicolor images, dialogue, voiceover narration. I have to admit, it’s quite impressive.

But more interesting than your run-of-the-mill The Writing Life column. Anyone read her?

Also noted: Deborah Tannen on her favorite books on "women’s issues."