Posts Tagged ‘writing’

Arts and Letters Live

Monday, December 28th, 2009

ArtsandLettersThe Dallas Museum of Art hosts Arts and Letters Live every year, and tickets for the 2010 season are now available.

If you’re not familiar with the series, the museum’s web site describes it like this:  ”Arts & Letters Live is a literary and performing arts series for all ages at the Dallas Museum of Art that features award-winning authors and actors of regional, national, and international acclaim. The series is recognized for its creative multidisciplinary programming, combining literature with visual arts, music, and film and for commissioning new work from musicians, dancers, and poets, inspired by works of art in the Museum’s collections and exhibitions.”

As I flipped through the virtual brochure, I have to admit I was giddy at the thought of being able to see some of these authors in our own backyard. Here’s just a sample of participating authors and illustrators:

  • David Wroblewski, author of “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,” which is described as a new coming of age story. It was an Oprah’s book club selection in 2008, and although I haven’t read it yet, it’s on my list. He’s coming Jan. 21, though, so I better hurry. This could interfere with “Gone With the Wind” … just kidding, book club friends.
  • Jan Brett, illustrator and author with 34 million books in print. Her work is instantly recognizable, and you may remember it from “The Mitten” or “The Three Snow Bears.” You’ll get a sneak peek at her newest book, ”The Easter Egg.”
  • David Sedaris – is an explanation of his identity really necessary? Perhaps the most well-known satirist ever, he will read from new and unpublished material, and I have a feeling tickets will go fast for this one. Even if you’ve never read his work you’ll recognize titles like “When You Are Engulfed in Flames”, “Holidays on Ice” and “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.” will read from new and unpublished material.
  • Isabel Allende, author of “Daughter of Fortune” and “Portrait in Sepia,” among others. She is a best-seller in multiple continents, and her books have been published in 27 languages. She was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2004. Her newest book, “Island Beneath the Sea,” will be released in April before her appearance at Arts and Letters in May.
  • Ira Glass, host of “This American Life,” which can be heard on public radio. He has been named the “Best Radio Show Host in America” by Time magazine, and each week his show draws 1.7 million listeners. He is a master storyteller, and I was lucky enough to hear him speak last summer at the Mayborn Conference. His approach to storytelling is insightful, and my face hurt afterward from a mesmerized smile and occasional burst of laughter.

These are just a few names that jumped out at me while browsing the web site, but of course, you will find others that pique your interest. Tickets can be purchased here, and subscriptions, which allow you to buy ticket packages, can be purchased through Jan. 21. ”
”

It promises to be inspiring!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Metroplex events | 1 Comment »

Stephenie Meyer

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Even if “Twilight” doesn’t make my all-time favorite list, I do admire Stephenie Meyer, and I’m so happy for her success. Although she was on “Oprah” Friday (which I didn’t know until after the fact or I would have given you a heads up), I chose to post the above clip, from “Ellen,” because Meyer is a little more relaxed. I think it aired about a year ago.

I truly admire her vivid imagination and the fact that she took a dream and built an entire story around it.

I’m also impressed that when she first started writing what has turned into a saga, she was writing only for herself. She was telling herself a story and only later realized that it was, in her words, “long enough to be a book.” Plus, I’m impressed with anyone who can write a coherent sentence when they are staying at home with children under 5. I’ve been there, and it’s hard some days to piece together a complete thought, much less a paragraph. In her case, she wrote the whole first book when her boys were 5, 2 and 1.

And maybe that’s why I admire her – I can relate to her. She said she felt as if she had lost herself at points during those years when her children were small, and I remember that feeling. By writing “Twilight,” she rediscovered the joy of a good story (this was even before it was slated for publication) and revived that little part of herself, and I can relate to that, too. The writing and reviving … not the wildly successful, New York Times best-selling author bit.

I am also impressed with her productivity. She wrote “Twilight” in three months. (Maybe I’m not making good use of my time.) And it took just more than two years from the time she wrote the first sentence of “Twilight” and when it first appeared in bookstores. Then she wrote four more books, three in the series and “The Host,” all in less than five years.

About two years ago, she says her husband retired, and he is enjoying spending time with their boys. She is only in her mid-30s. I’m delighted, and only a wee bit jealous, that she has forged a writing career that is off the charts successful. I know such success is scarce, but as a writer, it’s always fun to dream and admire those that make it.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Authors | No Comments »

NaNoWriMo … and do what?

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

In case you haven’t heard, it’s NaNoWriMo … or National Novel Writing Month. If you’ve got a novel in you, waiting to be set free, this is the time to do it.

NaNoWriMo is a month-long marathon writing event. The goal for participants: write a 50,000-word novel (the equivalent of a 175-page book) between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30. Think quantity, not quality.

You can’t use any previously written passages, but you can refer to outlines, character sketches and research. Oh yeah, and you have to do it all by yourself. No co-authors.

Then between Nov. 25 and Nov. 30 upload your novel to the NaNoWriMo site for word-count validation. Everyone who hits the 50,000-word mark is declared a winner. You’ve done it! You’re a novelist.

This is all about churning out copy and quieting your internal editor. Speaking from experience, it is much easier to go back and edit what’s already on the page than to fret over every word and seek perfection in every paragraph before moving to the next.

NaNoWriMo started in 1999, and last year more than 120,000 people participated. More than 20,000 of them crossed the finish line with 50,000 words in hand. The NaNoWriMo web site has discussion forums, a word count scoreboard, and a Procrastination Station – which is a great time killer for anyone, writer or not.

I’ve never actually participated, and I’ll be honest, it’s a little daunting. I guess it would be a great way to flesh out that book idea that’s been floating around in my head for a couple of years. Maybe next year I’ll take the challenge.

What about you? Ever tried it or know anyone who has?

Tags:
Posted in For fun | 4 Comments »