hostility room
n.— «It was an honour to be a starter when a big celebrity was the main course. I would tremble a bit in the hostility room (as it’s known in the business), but once I was in the other armchair, I would throw in a joke, a couple of stories about my mother and retire to watch the star sweep in.» —“I find chat shows hard work these days” by Maureen Lipman Guardian (United Kingdom) Sept. 4, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Suzanne in Tucson, Arizona, says her mother used to say the following to her quickly: Will you? Won’t you? Can’t I coax you? Aw, c’mon! You said you would! You think you might? You promised me! Won’t your mama let ya, huh...
National Book Award winner Barry Lopez had wise advice for young writers. First, read widely and follow your curiosity. Second, travel or learn a foreign language. And third, find out what you truly believe, because if you’re not writing from...