What's the secret to writing novels? Or baking a perfect cake? Or even being a good friend? Author Ann Patchett says it's all about the ability to stay focused and stop multitasking. Patchett...
========== JUDY WOODRUFF: The international bestselling
author Ann Patchett has written seven novelsand three nonfiction books.She contributes essays and criticism to an
array of newspapers and journals.And she owns a bookstore in her hometown of
Nashville, Tennessee.A lot on her plate?Well, most would think so.But it's not a matter of juggling.Tonight, in our essay, In My Humble Opinion,
the case for doing one thing at a time.ANN PATCHETT, Owner, Parnassus Books: In my
30s, I decided to get serious about baking.I bought cookbooks and went to work.It was shocking how often my attempts failed.My cakes were flat, dry, sunken, flavorless.You name it.After taking careful inventory of my equipment
and ingredients, I was forced to call myselfinto question: Was I reading the re...
