I was lucky enough to hear Elin Hilderbrand and Nancy Thayer speak at the Nantucket Book Festival this weekend. Here are two life lessons I took away: 1. Check your ego. Even when you are a famous enough author that the Yankees ask you to throw out the first pitch (Hilderbrand) all your sons really care about is making sure you don’t embarrass yourself by failing to get the ball over the plate. 2. Squirrel Away. The most wonderful way I have heard yet of finding a way to write an astounding 23 novels (Thayer) is to make a house rule. No one is allowed to disturb the author before noon as she labors away in her office, and she cannot be expected to accomplish any tasks that require thinking for 2-3 hours afterward. Taking long walks—in. Cooking—out! That is the life of my dreams. Thank you ladies for a charming talk, and the Nantucket Book Festival for a wonderful weekend of all things literature.