During interviews conducted with Janet Emig, the true identity of "Lynn," the primary subject of Emig's influential 1971 monograph "The Composing Processes of Twelfth Graders," was determined. Discovery of Susan Gzech's true identity led to an interview which shed some interesting light on Emig's case study and on composition instruction as well. Besides attaining a law degree and practicing for many years, Susan also is a social activist. Her success should not surprise any of Emig's readers, since Emig noted "Lynn's" talents and potential. Susan the adult has, however, greatly altered her writing process from her school days of little or no planning, drafting, and no revision. Today, she outlines, researches, and plans in depth, reflecting the fact that engagement and commitment prompt effort. Generally, Susan's experience with writing instruction in high school and college was unsatisfactory, with its main effect being a feeling of insecurity about her writing. Susan's experiences suggest that several popular notions about the teaching of writing are simply wrong. Instead of gaining skills from educational institutions, she received most of her encouragement from family reading and social functions, underscoring the theory that literacy education exists beyond classroom walls, and that teachers should move toward a more holistic conception of literacy. Finally, two major criticisms of Emig's book, from Stephen North and Ralph Voss, appear unacceptable based on the interviews with Susan. (HB)