“New Yorker” Scribe Adam Gopnik Reveals His Writing Secret

New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik revealed last night the pint-sized secret behind his prose: his kids.

“You steal their ideas until they no longer have any and then you retire,” he quipped underneath the gilded ceiling of the Capitale during the non-profit Moth Ball benefit Tuesday night.

Gopkin, whose latest book "The Steps Across the Water" was inspired by his 11-year-old daughter Olivia, joined politically savvy literary journalist Calvin Trillin, the featured honoree of the night, host and "Bored to Death" writer Jonathan Ames and comedian Mike Birbiglia at the decadent literary gala.

New Yorker editor David Remnick and novelist Colson Whitehead were also among the bookish crowd who donned feather headbands and fedora hats for the “It Happened One Night” 1930's theme.

Gopkin also championed the city as the best place to raise a family.

"I think New York is the only place to bring up children. I truly do,” he told Niteside. “You got grass in Central Park, you got animals in the zoo -- in all seriousness, when our son Luke turned 12, we were so glad we lived in New York. They're never going to get in cars and drive around, they're not pining to come into the city."

He added, "They have their cell phones and they can go anywhere, and they are the little lords of the city.”

The scribe had just recounted a true tale on the stage about his 4-year-old daughter's imaginary friend who, like a stereotypical Manhattanite, was too busy to play with her. Still she went on amazing imaginary adventures in her search to find him.

“[New York City] is the most soulful place, it's the place where the kids have the most independence and the most adventure, of many places I know,” said Gopnik, who came to the gala with daughter Olivia.

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