Franco, my dear, he does give a damn...

Good for James Franco. Yesterday, at my Easter brunch, we were talking about how Franco is studying at NYU (and other universities) for a Masters. His creative writing, the rumor goes, isn't the strongest in the class. Because we're all book snobs, we all rolled our eyes for a second at the thought that novices are getting book deals and, you know, "real" writers aren't. It's so easy for an actor, we said. But then I joked, we should have gone to Hollywood first. You know, 'cause it's smooth sailing to getting a film career. Then we could achieve our publishing dream... the easy way.

Besides, he's James Franco. If he publishes a book, well, good for him. It might not be Hemingway, but he's already proven himself as an artist in one arena. Should we book snobs turn our noses at someone who doesn't need the money and must be pursuing an education for the love of writing, or the challenge of another medium? Actors who write, especially if they aren't ghostwritten, are not playing it safe. Even Joaquin Phoenix, by launching a rap career (or launching media hype about a phony rap career), is being risky. Not in terms of money, but artistically. Yes, it's also about self-promotion, but let's be honest, do people write books (or, worse, short stories and poems!) for the fame and glamour? Bret Easton Ellis, yes. The rest of America, probably not.

Most authors find writing an extra-curricular hobby. It might mean more to them, and make them more famous than office jobs or table-waiting. Your average (non-celebrity) book sells just 5000-7000 copies. If your author gets a fairly generous 10% in royalties, that amounts to about $10,000 for paperbacks and $17,000 for hardcover books. Not bad money, if you write four books a year.

Even if you are an actor, and you're struggling to stay on the B-list, anything to propel your star higher (and gain financial security) is commendable. No matter what I think of the Twilight saga, in print or onscreen, I give character actor Michael Sheen a hand for stepping from small Oscar-prestige projects to a major role in New Moon. (Shout-out to New York magazine's Amos Barshad: As the leader of the vampire coven, "this will be the fourth time Sheen portrays former British Prime Minister Tony Blair onscreen.") He's going to rake in $7 million or so, which helps pay for his kids' education. And maybe a paint job, and nice kitchenware. Shameless selling-out from one view, but a wise plan for life security on the other. Wouldn't be all like to be in his musty ol' vampire shoes? It's something I could sink my teeth into.