Remembering Paula Fox

I was sad­dened to learn of the death of Paula Fox. I did not know her, though I much admired her work. I once had an occa­sion to sit down with just her for a lunch. We talked about this and that, most­ly about her work, and writ­ing. She said some­thing to me that I have always remem­bered, and have passed on to oth­ers, even as I tried to prac­tice it.  Per­haps it was what she said to oth­ers, but I had nev­er heard it before. She said, “The writer’s job is to imag­ine the truth.”