Fiction author Robin Brande talks about writing, reading, and other vital matters

I had this in a long answer to BJ’s comment on the last post, but I decided it’s worth discussing separately.

I don’t know why other people blog, but my reasons are entirely selfish: I like to hear what you all think. I love to throw an idea out there and see you all mix it up. It’s both entertaining for me and enlightening. I appreciate the fact that I don’t know everything or have to pretend that I do. I’m just bumbling around like anyone else, learning as I go. And part of that learning is finding out how other people think about and approach the different circumstances of their lives. I’m a big sponge, and I’m totally using you.

I’m naturally a very shy person. I like quiet and solitude, and I especially like to stay in the shadows, fly under the radar. But I’m about to enter into a strange chapter in my life, when I’ll be out there in public a lot, starting with a major tour in about a month and a half. And I have to admit that’s pretty hairy to me. The idea of all these strangers looking at me–gulp. But the better aspect of it is that I get to meet more people than ever before, and that means I get to hear more people’s stories about their own lives. You think I’m going on tour to talk about myself or my book? Ha! Fools! All of you!

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy and appreciate those of you who stop by and chime in on this blog. I really, genuinely like to hear what you have to say. And if exposing my own strange thoughts and experiences is what it takes to draw out your own opinions and stories, then I’m willing to pay that price. That’s how conversations go, right? I tell you I didn’t get kissed until I was 16, or that I was a big fatty in college, or that I continue to embarrass myself in all sorts of new and horrifying ways, and I, in turn, get to hear about your kids and the time you locked yourselves in the bathroom and what movies you think I should go rent.

I think I’ll take a few days off now, go take my niece and nephew to see Eragon today, make sauerbraten and red cabbage for Christmas Eve dinner, enjoy my mother’s cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, sit around in my sweats in front of the fire and finish reading my pal Barry Lyga’s new manuscript (boy, are you guys going to love this one), maybe play some Christmas songs on the piano to see if that puts me in the mood, and generally take it easy for the weekend. I hope those of you who are celebrating Christmas enjoy all your favorite parts of it and avoid all those parts that drive you nuts, and I hope those of you who aren’t celebrating the actual event are at least taking advantage of the general shut down of offices and stores until next week. It’s good to slow down, even if it’s forced upon us.

May your snow be fluffy, your hearts be cheered, and all your favorite comfort foods be eaten. And thanks again for giving me so much pleasure by sharing your ideas and experiences. You don’t even know me, and yet you’ve given me this terrific gift.

Technorati Tags: Blogs, Blogging, Writing, Publishing, Young Adult Novels, Young Adult Fiction

Posted on Saturday, December 23rd, 2006 at 9:08 am under Life, Writing . Subscribe to responses: RSS 2.0 Comment Feed. . Both comments and pings are currently closed.