gistfile1.py

# Model looks like this: 
class Status(models.Model):
    user                = models.ForeignKey(User)
    uuid                = models.CharField(max_length=22, null=True, blank=True)
    created             = models.DateTimeField(null=True, blank=True)
    content             = models.TextField()

    def save(self, *args, **kwargs):
        if not self.uuid:
            self.uuid   = uuid()

        if not self.created:
            self.created = datetime.now()

        return super(Status, self).save(*args, **kwargs)

# Serializer looks like this
class StatusSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
    user        = serializers.Field(source='user.username')
    class Meta:
        model = Status
        fields = ('user', 'content',)
        

# Views look like this
class StatusViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
    def pre_save(self, obj):
        obj.user        = self.request.user

    queryset            = Status.objects.all()
    serializer_class    = StatusSerializer

    def create(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
        serializer      = StatusSerializer(data=request.DATA)

        if serializer.is_valid():
            serializer.save()
            return Response(serializer.data, status=201)
        return Response(serializer.errors, status=400)