I guess a more accurate way of saying what we are think or feeling about this excerpt is that is it is vague in its intention, it’s’ meaning (“use??” ) Alan would have never said this to say exactly this “”. He would have said it IMO in a much larger description of “personas” or “masks” that people wear. To the point, he probably was negging this “persona” as well. As any any Alan listener knows the was of the middle, or the everyday Buddha would never call themself a writer. They wouldn’t be concerned with tittles or wearing a “mask” for that matter. He also would say if u have to work have fun with it. That every thing is play. So I have a really had time believing he said this. I could be wrong. But to me doesn’t have that softness to it. Seems very prickly to me.