Readers Speak; We Listen and Learn

From Paul

A reader took me to task yesterday. Don, from Virginia Beach, VA, writes:

I just finished "Trial & Error," and, like all your books I've read, enjoyed it. I wonder, though, why you thought it appropriate to insult a portion of your customers by calling people that buy Rush Limbaugh's book a derogatory name? It seemed so out of place since nowhere else do you take a shot at anyone else's political beliefs. Do you hate Rush so much that you're willing to insult a portion of your customers just for the satisfaction of taking a shot at him?

Here's what Don is complaining about. Just before going into the courthouse to begin voir dire, shady lawyer Steve Solomon peeks into car windows in the Jurors' Parking Lot. He tells the reader why:

People leave clues about themselves everywhere, including their car seats.

A wad of traffic tickets. Defense juror.

"Guns and Ammo" magazine. Prosecution juror.

A book by Rush Limbaugh. Simple-minded juror.

So, Don, it was a joke. Not a very good joke, it's true. And now, on reflection, I think it was a cheap shot. Condescending and unfair. It's fine to mock Rush Limbaugh for his simplistic, misleading, and often outrageously false statements. But his readers and listeners should be permitted to draw their own conclusions without being slammed, even in jest.

Next, Andrew, a lawyer in Dallas, writes about a scene in "Trial & Error," where Steve Solomon tears the murder indictment in half and tosses it at the prosecutor, proclaiming it's nothing but a worthless piece of paper.

I had a DWI trial in Fort Worth this past Monday. After the prosecution read the "information" (complaint in Texas for a misdemeanor), I grabbed it as I approached the jury box during opening, and I referred to it as simply a piece of paper and "flung" it back at the Prosecutor's table. Needless to say, I got a Not Guilty verdict in conservative-ass Fort Worth after 20 minutes of deliberation. You the man!!! Keep them books coming.

Way to go, Andrew. Texas lawyers are ballsy, I'll say that. You could have been held in contempt...as Steve Solomon frequently is.

Finally, Richard in Detroit writes, after reading "Solomon vs. Lord":

As the father of a genius-but-mildly-autistic
child (Asperger's Syndrome) I thought the character of Bobby,
the nephew, was right-on-target and much appreciated.

Thank you, Richard. I've heard from many parents and teachers of autistic children. The best, most heartwarming letters I could ever receive.

Recently, a reader suggested a sub-plot involving Bobby that was better than the idea I was working on. As writers, our characters are real to us. To our best readers, they're just as real. I'd like to encourage my fellow Naked Authors to share their mail.

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OKAY, AGENT BORN. YOU WANT PICTURES. YOU GOT PICTURES.

Jim Born, that pesky provocateur, has been taunting me. Last week, I posted goofy photos of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Phil Spector from the 1970's. So Jim challenged me to post some vintage photos of my own naked scribbling self.

I generally do what Jim says, if only because he is heavily armed. (Donna says Jim comes to bed "locked and loaded," whatever that means). So, I'm posting some photos from Memory Lane, potholes and all. Perhaps Jim will reciprocate, starting with photos of those wild parties at Florida State.

Paul, wearing lapels as wide as radial tires, and moot court partner Dan Schwartz display their modest National Moot Court Championship trophy. (New York 1971)

Your Naked Scribbler, with an excess of hair, white bell-bottoms, and a purple nylon Nik-Nik shirt. (Helsinki 1974).


Penn State Quarterback (and current CBS broadcaster) Todd Blackledge with your Naked Nittany Lion, wearing a blue velour warm-up suit of the sort favored by Paulie Walnuts. (New Orleans, New Years Day 1983)

Son Michael is surprised to learn on his second birthday that Naked Dad expects him to attend Penn State if he wants his tuition paid. Quick at math, Michael complies. (Coral Gables, 1983)

Paul windsurfs on the ocean in a twenty-knot breeze, making Naked Lake Windsurfer Jim Born insanely jealous. (Aruba 1985)


Following Hurricane Andrew, your Naked Sweeper clears rubbish at ex-spouse Alice's house. (Coral Gables, 1992)

Although your Naked Scrivener and Elmore Leonard share the same fiction prize, Mr. Leonard politely rejects Mr. Levine's creative idea that they pool their royalties and split them 50-50. (Tampa 1994)

After writing four books in 27 months, your Exhausted Scribbler is sent to a "rest home." (Rancho Cucamonga 2007)

Paul