One of The Simpsons most prolific writers is also one of its most reclusive: Writer John Swartzwelder is rarely seen in public, and little is known about him. According to Groening, Swartzwelder used to write his scripts for The Simpsons in a diner, guzzling coffee and chain-smoking cigarettes. When smoking was outlawed in diners, he simply bought the booth, brought it to his home and carried on as normal!