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This week: Meeting Your Favourite Author ... or not Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI 17 WDC YEARS!  
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This topic was sparked off by a discussion with kiyasama ... thanks, Kiya! We were discussing PG Wodehouse's humour and use of language, and she mentioned that she would like to meet him. That set me thinking ... would I like to meet my favourite authors?
It also got me recalling the times I have met folks whose writing I idolise! |
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Dear Reader,
How often have we thought, about people we admire, 'If I could meet her/him, I would ask ...'
I've met two authors whose writing I greatly admire -- Ruskin Bond, and William Dalrymple, both briefly, as part of a queue of people getting their books signed. I've met Bond twice, and Dalrymple three times, in this way. There was no time to chat, but with both, they managed to be warm and personal even in the brief space of time we had together. Bond was pleased with the stack of books I was getting him to sign for my various nieces and nephews (I have many cousins, and we're a close-knit family!) and carefully personalised each one with names and messages, including a 'Happy Birthday' where it was appropriate. Where I asked him to sign a book for the students of a school, he remembered the next day when the Principal of the same school asked for a signature -- "Where have I heard that name before?" he asked.
With Dalrymple, someone I greatly, greatly admire, he  complimented my hat ... TWICE, making my day both times. ("I like your hat, Madam, very stylish" and "Another nice hat!") Here's a photo of the audience during Dalrymple's talk at the Bangalore Literature Festival. You can't miss my pink hat -- it's the one that got me a compliment! And that's my Dad sitting next to me, by the way. (Second row of seats, edge of the red tent.)
Meeting these two authors left me feeling warm and fuzzy.
But then ...
There were a couple of other instances which weren't so happy. There was an author visiting India who had just won a prestigious global award. He was visiting a bookshop close to my house, and my parents and I went for the book-signing. It was one of the most nerve-racking experiences I've had! There was an announcement made as the queue started up, that we had to open the book to the title page, hand it over to him, and take it back when he had signed it. No personalisation, no chit-chat, 'no nothing'. It was sort of military, the book-signing. This was some years ago, and I must admit, the book lies, unread, in my cupboard to this day. Fortunately, this author isn't on my very-favourite list -- so the near-fiasco that was the meeting didn't affect me much.
Then there was the time I was going to attend a dinner with a brilliant comedy writer. I was the envy of my writing group, that I was meeting THE man. People asked if I could wangle them a table, but being a 'wanglee' myself, I couldn't tag anyone else along! I was all agog, this was going to be an opportunity to actually have a conversation with a 'real' author, one who wrote with great wit in the newspapers, and had a couple of very successful novels under his belt.
It turned out to be a disappointment. I guess one shouldn't build up one's expectations! He signed my book cheerfully enough, with a personal message, and was quite appreciative of my gushings about his writing. But beyond that -- nothing. He sat with his wife most of the time, murmuring to her now and then, smoking, covered with a haze of cigarette smoke, not making any witty conversation with anyone. It reminded me of David Ogilvy's words when asked by a colleague why he didn't take copywriters along for client meetings. He said something to the effect that good writers are not always great socially, in fact most of them are tongue-tied hobbledehoys in company, and a face-to-face meeting would not convince a client that this is the person who can churn out campaign after brilliant campaign that would have their product flying off the shelves. In this case, I continue to admire his writing, the personal meeting hasn't diminished my veneration of his turn of phrase.
Then there was another writer whose work I greatly admire, his nature and family stories adorn my bookshelves. Someone who met him personally said he was reticent to the point of appearing snobbish, as if he didn't want to speak to her because she was too lowly.
So then ...
Would you like to meet your favourite author? You'd obviously build up an expectation of what the person is like, what the interaction would be like, and what you'd say to each other. Some meetings might go beyond your expectations and leave you delighted -- but there may be disappointment. Would you, then, be able to separate the social-person from the writer, and continue to read her/his works with the same fervour, or would an unfavourable meeting disillusion you? Would it depend on what you are like yourself as a writer -- which 'self' you portray in your writing as compared to which 'self' you are socially -- affect your answer?
Personally, I think I'd take the chance. I'd like to meet my favourite authors, and hope for the best. And if that particular meeting didn't go quite well, I'd enjoy their writing as much, anyway!
Happy writing, and I hope you do get to meet some of your favourite writers!
- Sonali
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Here is my autograph collection! Most were in the mail -- Ruskin Bond and William Dalrymple were in person!
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StephBee - House Targaryen 
Great topic! It's fun to play with words no matter how they come out. You wrote: 8. You are free to write the worst junk in the entire history of writing. Reminds me of how Veronica Roth put: Word vomit.  Then go back and clean it up.
zarkianmouse
I liked this edition. I tried the fears/desires thing. I came up with 12 lines of fears and 17 lines of desires (most lines had multiple of each).
angeldarkness
These are really interesting rules and ideas! I must say I like them. Unfortunately, I can't make myself not correct my mistakes  .
Vivian 
Free writing is a good way to unlock ideas, but the problem comes when writers stop with free writing and post it or submit it.
We need to remember that exercises are a means not an end.
Imagine21
THOSE RULES MAKE SENSE!!!
Bonnie
I undeniably enjoyed reading your newsletter this week. Although I have read some of this advice before, this really spoke to me. It must be the right time for me to receive this. So, thank you for sharing this with the community. I am sure it will speak to many on the site.
I would like to suggest to you that you make this a static item in your port, if you haven't already done so. It truly is a terrific teaching tool. 
QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns 
Indeed, there are rules in doing free-writing exercises. I regularly attend a writing workshop at our local university. We do free-writing first thing in class. It really makes your writing juices flow. Thanks for sharing this informative newsletter. It makes our brain waves waving non-stop! No idle time to waste.
GaelicQueen 
Good article. I'm attending a creative writing workshop and this is the type of advise given in the monthly sessions. It can be revealing what the mind puts forth when the hand is given free rein.
50's Child
Very informative, with lessons to try. This gives me new insight for my writing. Thanks so much.
Happy April 2024! 
Enjoyed the specific free write info...going to try it. Thanks.
Bill Gerace
I love this newsletter. Excellent as always. I definitely am going to visit one of those Interactive stories. Great inspiration as always.
Marci Missing Everyone
Great advice on Free Write. Fi and I do this often when we are stuck for our giveit100 challenge. We have to write everyday for 100 days, and sometimes, that's tough. I hope she gets this newsletter, but if not, I'm going to forward it to her.  |
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Short Stories: June 11, 2014 Issue [#6350]
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