A painter,” he said, as though the word were an insult. “I’m a .” “You’re a ? a writer.” “What do you write?” “Stories. Books. A book. Fiction.” “Fiction. . That’s not writing.” “What do you write?” “I write the truth.” “Fiction is true. It doesn’t have to be factual to be true.” “Says you. Have you been published?” “As a matter of fact I have. My novel sold over 65,000 copies.” “All to your mom.” “My mom didn’t even know about it.