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Hens Lay Eggs

food for thought

5 authors, alive or dead, I'd like to meet - #MFRW 52-week Challenge

2/8/2018

 
Last week I failed to answer the prompt of the book that influenced me the most. This week I'll fail again, because, really, I don't want to meet the authors I admire the most.

What would I say?

Truly, I'd be at a loss for words or, worse yet, come across as a blithering idiot or offensively critical.

Authors have their own distinct ways of going about their business. No two authors follow the exact same processes. For something so generic as "I wrote a book," the solitary endeavor of actual writing lends itself to the eccentricities and quirks of the individual writer.

For instance, I admire Mark Twain, although I've read precious little of his work. His wit and brevity raise the standard. I love Last of the Mohicans, although the book itself is a horrible example of storytelling. I doubt I have anything in common with Robin McKinley, C. L. Wilson, Dick Francis, or Robert B. Parker; so, with writing--like politics and religion--excluded from discussion, there would be precious little to talk about.

Let's not go there.

Should the occasion arise that a reader wanted to meet me, the situation would remain just as awkward. I could pontificate on the qualities of good writing--and, if you read my blog, then you know I do--but lecture doesn't make for dialogue. Conversation needs at least two people to speak and listen and respond. A reader could ask me about horses, alpacas, llamas, or my children. Of those topics, the one that will find the greatest commonality is that of children.

It doesn't escape me that an unwillingness to discuss writing may come across as arrogance, as though I implied I had nothing to learn from other authors. Nothing could be further from the truth. That incorrect perception arises from an old childhood accusation regarding the sacrament of reconciliation, better known as confession. I did not want to go and resented being forced to comply. I never denied having committed those small sins, but neither did I regret them. That attitude received accusations that I considered myself perfect, incapable of sin. No, I recognized my guilt, but I wasn't sorry for it. Regardless, I went to church, whipped up some false remorse, and then confessed my sins.

Yes, I'm aware the above confession likely indicates some strongly psychopathic tendencies. That, of course, brings me to that funny scene in the 1984 mobster spoof Johnny Dangerously in which Danny Vermin declares his handicap.

After writing professionally for decades, I feel I have a pretty good command of the craft. I know what I know and remain open to learning what I don't know. But as for meeting those authors whom I admire, no, I'd rather leave them on their pedestals. Let's respect the distance and allow that distance to uphold respect.

Helen Henderson link
2/9/2018 11:28:45 am

Star struck? I'd definitely be. Liked your idea to just admire from afar.

Holly Bargo link
2/9/2018 12:21:07 pm

I typically meet authors at conventions where they try to sell me their books, not places conducive to real conversation.

Cathy Brockman link
2/9/2018 01:09:09 pm

Great post. I do agree. I didn't think about it so closely. I loved the clip!

Holly Bargo link
2/9/2018 01:20:19 pm

Movies don't have to be cinematic masterpieces for me to love them. Johnny Dangerously is one of my very favorites.

Mary J. McCoy-Dressel link
2/10/2018 08:18:55 am

I think the experience would be different if we met the authors we admire at a conference like setting or book signing instead of one-on-one over dinner or coffee. You made a good point about respecting their distance.

Holly Bargo link
2/10/2018 09:37:52 am

Meeting authors at conventions and book signing events isn't so bad. The interaction is brief, hardly more than a "I really like your books. Thanks for autographing it" followed by "Thanks, I appreciate your reading my books. Next!"

In other words, not much real conversation takes place.

Molly Daniels link
2/10/2018 01:25:00 pm

LOL.....I completely lost my composure when I realized I was about 5 feet away from a local radio celebrity, and after he left, I was both kicking myself for not meeting him, and embarrassed, hoping I didn't come off all stalker-ish as I was taking his picture.


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