A not-particularly-honest response would be that I wanted to make a lot of money. But that's obviously not the case. I have discovered that honesty is not a subject that attracts a whole lot of interest. People often think a book about honesty is going to preach something uncomfortable at them, so they stay away in droves. I probably should have titled the book A Lot of Sex Stuff. That would have drawn more attention, I'm sure. But then, you are reading this, aren't you!
Well, I had written a whole lot about Joseph Kuhl and his family and ambitions and troubles, etc. Cousin Zack was always in the background, not getting a lot of the kind of attention he obviously wished to have.
We had a red-headed Balona kid with probably more brains than his Cousin Joe, upset with his doting parents. He was doing well in school, but wanted some adventure, not summer school. I have known lots of kids like that. Also, this kid was a target for young women who thought he might turn out to be something useful someday--useful as husband material, for example.
Have you known someone like Gussi? I have. Have you (or your parents or a school counselor) felt that you could use some psychiatric help? I have. Have you been infatuated with a TV actress? I haven't, but I've known lots of kids who have.
When you get right down to it, I wrote A Little Honesty because I thought it was a good idea. I think it turned out good. I hope you do, too.
