“Maria, a character in Joan Didion’s novel Play It As It Lays, drives
on the freeway every day—not to get somewhere, but simply because she
has to. It’s as if she’s hungry for driving.
“When I read the book, I felt a measure of relief: I, too, like to pick a Los
Angeles freeway and head wherever it takes me. I drive to think, relax, worry,
and even celebrate. There’s an integrity to the act, and I like to think
there’s some personal restoration proportional to miles accrued.
“The 170 freeway north out of Hollywood is a personal favorite. It’s not
the prettiest, but there’s something austere and compelling about it.
Something making it worthy of a good hard drive. I had this in the back of
my mind when I wrote the opening to my chapter.”
“Interestingly, the Pacific Ferris Wheel was sold two weeks after I turned in
my portion of the serial. A new one has taken its place, but the original holds
a special place in my heart, as I could see it from my very first L.A. apartment
window.”
