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Alexandra Petri

The World

Alexandra Petri is a Washington Post columnist and the author of "A Field Guide To Awkward Silences."

Alexandra Petri is a Washington Post columnist and the author of "A Field Guide To Awkward Silences." She also is a playwright and a graduate of Harvard College.

Alexandra Petri explores irony, failure and commitment in her latest book, "The Field Guide to Awkward Silences."

That time I tried out for ‘America’s Next Top Model’

Culture

How do you tackle a fear of awkwardness? Purposefully acting awkward? Trying to lose, spectacularly? A young writer finds life deals enough losses, but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying. But, perhaps earnestly?