7/13/47- 2/25/18. Cynthia Heimel. I only found this out today. I read and treasured Cynthia Heimel’s columns in The Village Voice (known simple as the Voice) in the ’80s. Her writing was edgy, almost outrageous (if you were born and bred in suburbia), and always truthful.
Book Titles:
The titles of her books alone set off streams of consciousness about life. If You Can’t Live Without Me, Why Aren’t You Dead Yet? (1991). Get Your Tongue Out of My Mouth, I’m Kissing You Good-Bye (1993). A New York Times review of her work said: “Like Dorothy Parker, Ms. Heimel is an urban romantic with a scathing X-ray vision that penetrates her most deeply cherished fantasies.”
Her truths of thirty years ago still have the flavor of freshly made lemonade – a little on the tart side but, oh so refreshing.
Cynthia Heimel quotes:
A sample of some of her words, with thanks to Dr. Mardy’s newsletter, which sends me literary gems every week along with great quotes:
“More than Mallomars, more than hot sex, we want to belong.”
“A sense of humor isn’t everything. It’s only 90 percent of everything.”
“A comedian is not funny unless he is taking his demons out for a walk.”
“Never judge someone by who he’s in love with; judge him by his friends. People fall in love with the most appalling people.”
“Reading is an escape, an education, a delving into the brain of another human being on such an intimate level that every nuance of thought, every snapping of synapse, every slippery desire of the author is laid open before you like, well, a book.”
What writers influence your writing and your life? Tell me about them.
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and the writing life. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships.
