In response to Ed Vavra's, "In spite of Barthes (Is is Barthes, isn't it?),
"write" is a transitive verb. "

Write is both transitive AND intransitive:

1. Ziggy writes poetry.
2. Ziggy writes well.

Also:
I'm not sure what the reference to Roland Barthes is all about. Could
someone clarify that?

Thanks,

Paul E. Doniger
The Gilbert School
"Reason enslaves all whose minds are not strong enough to master her." - G.
B. Shaw