Writers vs. their books

JoNightshade · Jul 10, 2007

Once upon a time I went to an Antiquarian Booksellers convention in San Francisco. I was about 17 and I was THRILLED because Larry McMurtry would be speaking. I had just read Lonesome Dove and I thought, "This is going to be great... to see the man who wrote a book like that, in person!"

Most BORING GUY EVER. Granted, he said he was sick that day, but he just about put the entire audience to sleep. I couldn't believe it... how could THIS guy have written one of the most exciting books I had ever read?

Anyone else have any similar experiences? How are writers' personalities different from the books they write, in your view?

Zoombie · Jul 10, 2007

On the inverse, I've met people exactly as exciting as their books. Like this author, who shall remain nameless, and has only written about the "Everyday" and spent the class telling us that you can add tension to your dialog by cutting out random chunks of it and leaving white space.

So instead of:

"Hello Mary."

"Hi George."

"What's for Lunch?"

"Freach Toast."

Now, using the teacher's method to add "tension" to the every day:

"Hello Marry."

"French Toast."

----------

Yeah...

I read some of her book and if you took the word pretentious and boring and slapped it together, then you'd get pretentoring. That and the fact that she started off class by saying, "Oh, I don't write plots. I write about...prose relations."

I was tempted to paraphrase Office Space: "Prose relations? What the <beep> does that mean!"*

*"PC Load letter? What the <beep> does that mean!"

pdr · Jul 10, 2007

Oh dear!

This is where my age shows.

The halo effect, where one applies all the nice traits and characteristics one likes to an actor or writer or other such person in a position to be hero worshipped is something you have to be aware of and grow out of.

Get used to the fact that 'name' authors are people exactly like everyone else. Do you seriously expect to like and admire every person in the world?

It should be a cardinal writer's rule, drummed into baby beginners by old hands, that you don't expect the writer of your favourite novel to be how you imagine.

When you meet such an author for the first time you will be disappointed. It's usual for the fan to wonder how this old codger/young fool/stupid twit could have written such a great book.

You'll grow out of it. You'd better because if you are a serious writer and you end up having to do the book tours and readings and talks to writers, you'll be able to greet the disappointed looks on your fans' faces with an understanding and disarming twinkle and won't fret over the 'meant to be heard' rude comments!

Zoombie · Jul 10, 2007

Well, we'll put this theory to practice in a week, when I get to meet two of my all time favorite authors, Wen Spencer and Tamora Peirce.

I'll be sure to tell them that you said that I'll be disappointed. I doubt it though. Really, I just want to say: "Mrs. Spencer, you are one of the few writers I know who can make male leads so attractive I want to sleep with them*. And I'm straight! Will you sign Tinker for me?"

And then I'd say to Mrs. Pierce. "Mrs. Pierce, will you sign my copy of Lady Knight? It's my favorite of your books, becuase it's got the giant robots run off the souls of murdered children. And then in the end, the bad guy gets decapitated. A better ending, I think not!"

*If she asks, I'd go with Pony.

I want both authors to come away thinking: "What an odd person."

Also, even if the authors turn out to be completely normal people (which is nice, because I'm not, so It'll help keep the fan's hope alive), I'll still be stoked to meet them because they wrote some of my favoritist books of all time.

JoNightshade · Jul 10, 2007

pdr said:
The halo effect, where one applies all the nice traits and characteristics one likes to an actor or writer or other such person in a position to be hero worshipped is something you have to be aware of and grow out of.

Get used to the fact that 'name' authors are people exactly like everyone else. Do you seriously expect to like and admire every person in the world?

Um... first of all, I wasn't saying that it was right or wrong to do this. I was just relating my experience. And I thought it might be interesting/funny to hear from others. I'm not bashing authors who aren't exciting. I'm just noting the discrepancy between the written work and the face-to-face person.

Also, I am no longer seventeen. I'm aware that famous people are "normal" people, and I know two or three.

Incidentally, one author I know is FAR more interesting (and bizarre) in person than you'd think from reading her books.

JoNightshade · Jul 10, 2007

Oh, and I met Ray Bradbury. WHO WAS AWESOME. It was like listening to one of his books, but live. He's exactly the same in person as he is on the page.

Zoombie · Jul 10, 2007

Neat. When I get famous, I'm going to walk backwards onto the stage and say:

"Thanks for listening. And that about wraps it up. And then I finished the book. I woke up in the middle of the night with a burning desire to write. After I was almost done."

Then smile.

JamieFord · Jul 10, 2007

I heard Mark Childress read a couple times and he's hilarious. The guy could read the dictionary and it would be entertaining.

JEMcGee · Jul 10, 2007

I haven't really met authors, but having met many people on line before I met them in person, they don't seem that different than the personality in written form... it's just filtered in a different way. Sometimes people are more animated and sometimes they are much less - but they are the same people.

This is interesting though; while I love musing on the stories, I find it a challenge to actually read Tolkien's novels. BUT, when I read Tolkien's letters I was completely taken with him... And loved the stories even more.

Something similar happened when I read "Theo" - Van Gogh's letters to his brother. I thought his work was good, until I got to know him through his letters, and then I fell in love with the way he saw the world.

JoNightshade · Jul 10, 2007

Oh, I just remembered, I saw... Art Speigelman, author of Maus. He chain smoked rabidly the entire presentation (they had to get special permission for him to do this before he would agree to speak in the auditorium) and was kind of aloof. He was also pretty depressing, which is... not really surprising, if you've read his work.

Robert L.B. · Jul 10, 2007

Zoombie said:
And then I'd say to Mrs. Pierce. "Mrs. Pierce, will you sign my copy of Lady Knight? It's my favorite of your books, becuase it's got the giant robots run off the souls of murdered children. And then in the end, the bad guy gets decapitated. A better ending, I think not!"

That sounds so odd, bizarre, and so much like...you.

Where can I get a copy?

Zoombie · Jul 10, 2007

At a book store, I think. But it's the fourth book in a series about a girl who becomes a knight. Good stuff, good stuff. Some people say it's too chick oriented for guys to like, but I say, "It's got giant robots, run off the souls of murdered children!"

Robert L.B. · Jul 10, 2007

Zoombie, pick the best chapter (in your opinion) from your book, edit the hell out of it until it's perfect and pristine, then give it to those authors. Make sure they have your name (or pen name) and e-mail address. If they like it, and ask for more, then you just made powerful friends. Nothing helps a writer along the road to publishing like saying that already published writers like the story.

Zoombie · Jul 10, 2007

Dancre · Jul 10, 2007

JoNightshade said:
Once upon a time I went to an Antiquarian Booksellers convention in San Francisco. I was about 17 and I was THRILLED because Larry McMurtry would be speaking. I had just read Lonesome Dove and I thought, "This is going to be great... to see the man who wrote a book like that, in person!"

Most BORING GUY EVER. Granted, he said he was sick that day, but he just about put the entire audience to sleep. I couldn't believe it... how could THIS guy have written one of the most exciting books I had ever read?

Anyone else have any similar experiences? How are writers' personalities different from the books they write, in your view?

My first novel I wrote was a spy novel involving terrorists, a pastor, an ex-CIA hitman, an evil Senator and a professor from Afganistan who was pushed into terrorism. Now my idea of a good time? Sitting in my recliner watching either HGTV or the Foodnetwork or dancing with my church dance troupe. Talk about a different personality!!!

kim

Claudia Gray · Jul 10, 2007

Do NOT hand those authors a chapter of your manuscript unless by some miracle they ask for it. It tends to look more amateurish than bold, and most writers I've heard talk about this phenomenon are put off by it.

It's different, IMHO, if you meet somebody in a different context -- say, a writing workshop.

Zoombie · Jul 10, 2007

Actually, Alpha IS a writing workshop. It's just, we're expected to bring several ideas to the place and hash them out over the week long period of the workshop.

And I've decided against bringing it in, as we're supposed to work on new works. But I hope to impress them with my story ideas and how I can write them out. How many of the people will have stories about people without hair? I doubt many of them will.

Note: My story idea actually has a lot more than just people without hair, but I'm too lazy to sum it up right now. And, shall I say, wrong topic?

Robert L.B. · Jul 10, 2007

Where can I find more information about Alpha? Sounds like something I'd be interested in doing next year.

Zoombie · Jul 10, 2007

I'd check the Alpha webpage

Failing that, you could google it...

But it's sweet. I just wish I had applied last year, as last year it had my favorite author ever: Harry Turtledove.

But this year, it has TWO authors who are right below him. So I suppose that makes up for not dropping to my knees and thanking him for sparing Vanai's life in his "Into the Darkness" series. She lives! Hurra.

Though, I only just found out now: 20 people out of the entire country ever get in.

I'm glad I didn't know that till now...or else I might have not tried getting in. But...wow, I got in! And, there are going to be about 16 girls VS the 4 boys. Plenty of chances, huh?

Once it's done, I'll be sure to post on this thread and tell you my real reactions.

Mud Dauber · Jul 10, 2007

JoNightshade said:
Once upon a time I went to an Antiquarian Booksellers convention in San Francisco. I was about 17 and I was THRILLED because Larry McMurtry would be speaking. I had just read Lonesome Dove and I thought, "This is going to be great... to see the man who wrote a book like that, in person!"

Most BORING GUY EVER. Granted, he said he was sick that day, but he just about put the entire audience to sleep. I couldn't believe it... how could THIS guy have written one of the most exciting books I had ever read?

Anyone else have any similar experiences? How are writers' personalities different from the books they write, in your view?

This is my greatest fear, since I am not a public speaking kind of gal. I would be the author that someone like you would walk away from meeting me or hearing me talk and you would say, "Huh. So that's her." LOL (I know, I know... I gotta get published first!

)

To answer your question though, I've never had that experience with authors, but there have been a handful of favorite comedic TV actors who I always thought were hilarious in their acting, but really boring in an interview situation, so I know what you mean.

Akuma · Jul 10, 2007

Well, after reading the Bible I thought God would be an uptight guy, dishing out divine punishment like it was candy.

But he was actually pretty chill--likes Hawaiian shirts, drinks beer and watches Nickelodeon. Although you don't want to be around when he burps.

Wait. God didn't really technically actually write the Bible, did he?

My less than mediocre joke has failed.

swvaughn · Jul 10, 2007

Okay, then! I don't want to give people the impression that there's a huge disparity between me and what I write (there is, but I've always wanted to be cool. I'm just not.)

So when I am in public, I will wear lots of black and denim, carry a blade and/or a gun, fucking swear all the time, and randomly punch people in the face and/or jab them with needles. I will also kidnap their sisters.

(Please note that this is a joke. Here is a grain of salt: . )

For some reason, knowing that Ray Bradbury is exactly like his books makes me absurdly happy. And I hear calliope music...

Will Lavender · Jul 10, 2007

Islaitha Frost said:
Zoombie, pick the best chapter (in your opinion) from your book, edit the hell out of it until it's perfect and pristine, then give it to those authors. Make sure they have your name (or pen name) and e-mail address. If they like it, and ask for more, then you just made powerful friends. Nothing helps a writer along the road to publishing like saying that already published writers like the story.

Wouldn't do this.

Authors normally won't accept manuscripts that aren't sent along by another author's editor or agent. A polite person may actually take the MS, but it likely won't be read.

Robert L.B. · Jul 10, 2007

20 people, eh?

Sounds like a challenge. See you there next year, Zoombie.

Zoombie · Jul 10, 2007

If I get in next year. I know I can, cuase there are returning Alpha students I've been chatting with. They're, amazingly, normal people. Well...as normal as a writer can be. I was expecting them to eat laser beams and fly through sheer force of will...

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