July 29, 2011
Famours Writers I Admire
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 Writers always held a certain mystery and glamour in my mind. I pictured them at computers, with fabulous views out their window, perhaps a fireplace at full tilt, an espresso close at hand...or wine if evening. They dreamed up fabulous scenes, crisp dialogue (I wished I'd said that), interesting characters, always had the thrill of surprising me. I elevated their stardom and yearned to meet these idols of my imagination. I also thought they'd be unapproachable to a common person like me, a mere reader.
Then in 1999 I began to study writing. I wanted to be a part of the action, make others want to read my stories. I quickly realized I had a lot to learn. And the best place to learn was at the feet of masters. I trembled at the thought. I didn't mind their criticism but actually meeting them was daunting.
Over the years I've met, chatted with, studied with many great writers. It shocked me just how much they were real people, raising teenagers, trying to buy a home, having a spat with their mate. All the same every day problems. The star studded cast of writers I've encountered include Alan Furst, Dorothy Allison, Abigail Thomas, Ann Hood, Clive Cussler, Francine Prose, Steve Almond, Judith Barrington, Thisbe Nissin, Anne LaMott, Valerie Miner, Kelly Corrigan, and many others.
I need to single out two very special women who have mentored me from green to where I am now. Dorothy Allison and Abigail Thomas. Both have extraordinary skill, are expert teachers of the craft and gifted as writers. If you haven't read any of their works, check it out. It is not often that you meet accomplished artists who still remember their early struggle well enough that they can aid others with kindness and a generous spirit. The picture that you see attached is actually of Dorothy Allison, a fellow writing friend in the middle and me on the right. It is always good to see Dorothy and have her (still) share some pearl of wisdom.
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Posted by Nancy Rossman
on July 29, 2011 at 12:31 PM
in Writers and Real People |
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July 20, 2011
The Pain of a Book
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For the past week I was in Portland, Oregon, to attend the Tin House writers conference. This is like boot camp for writers. We stay at Reed College and return to the days of hard-as-rock single beds, group showers, constant noise all night, and cafeteria dining. Sometimes I think the Spartan ways of the week help to write. Like committing yourself to a single purpose without creature comforts.
2011 marks my fifth year. There were over 200 attending ... twelve guest author/instructors and then the students. My class of twelve worked hard all week on each others manuscripts, and listening to craft lectures and readings by the authors. It was thrilling but exhausting. And then there were the critiques of our work by others in the class. Not so much fun and often no consensus so you come away trying to decide which opinions to heed, or not.
I don't know if there is any magic number on how long it should or shouldn't take to write a decent book but I sure hope I start to whittle down the five years it took on the first one. My second, "Nothing for Tomorrow" is finished but now will need editing and tightening. The grueling but necessary final touch. I certainly understand why some stop at one... like doing a marathon and then saying, "That was enough already."
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Posted by Nancy Rossman
on July 20, 2011 at 11:10 AM
in Writing School |
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July 11, 2011
Books and The Media
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Right after First Love Last Dance was published I got lucky. NBC in Atlanta embraced Elise and Peter’s love story and the book, deciding it would make a great feature for Valentine’s Day. Their interest prompted other NBC affiliates as well as CNN. Definitely herd mentality, but I’m not complaining mind you. What resulted was a round robin of speaking, appearances on TV and some talk radio.
As glamorous as TV appearances were/are, there really is no comparison to talk radio. TV is practiced and scripted, perhaps due to the high expense in air time whereas talk radio starts with a mere idea and then you talk. Callers prompt questions, the host poses interesting questions…all unrehearsed and without a plan. It could be good, it could be bad. My experience with Carol Blonder in Phoenix was pure delight. She is comfortable with spontaneous conversation and kept things going for thirty minutes. I worried, “what will we talk about for that much time?”
The draw to talk radio is akin to reality TV. The audience loves the unpredictable nature of it all, the surprises, and the drama. I had so much fun with Carol that I returned to do another segment. The genius of these shows is in the entertainment and fun of it. She does not take much seriously. There were so many callers that had love stories of their own that I was taken back. It seemed like each caller encouraged another, and so on. Carol did more than think on her feet. Some callers said that they pictured me as a real person. What? A writer isn’t? I decided to take it as a compliment and call it a day.
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Posted by Chad Wilson
on July 11, 2011 at 9:09 AM
in Books and The Media |
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July 5, 2011
The Fan in the Crowd
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 Today I have a bit of a departure, just because it is after a long holiday weekend and I can't quit thinking about something that happened last week. It is so bizarre I just have to share it.
I was in Santa Barbara, CA, on a short vacation. Whenever I am out of town I always see if I can have a reading or two in the area. It helps to spread the word on FIRST LOVE, LAST DANCE and it is always worth the effort. Such was the case and I had scheduled a reading at Villa Santa Barbara, an active retirement center. The activities director had advertised it well so we had a good turn out.
When I finish the reading and have shown the NBC video there is time for question and answer from the audience. A gentleman named Bob asked if he could share his own "first love" story. We all encouraged him. He said that he had fallen in love and married his first love. He claimed that they were young and foolish. The marriage had lasted only a few years when his wife ran off with John Denver, the singer. "We all know what happened there," he said and smiled.
Anyhow, they have since gotten back together after forty years and are trying to decide who will move. She lives in Oregon and he lives in Santa Barbara.
He bought two books....one for each of them (everyone giggled). Probably the first time someone in the audience stole my show!
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Posted by Nancy Rossman
on July 5, 2011 at 9:28 AM
in Interesting Readings and fans |
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