When you love a book, you get in the car
How will I be spending my Valentine’s Day? I considered doing the same thing I do every year, going out to dinner with my Valentine at the restaurant up the street (thereby obeying our rule that we only go to restaurants within a three-mile radius) (because we are lazy) (and kind of unimaginative about dinner), but not this time, baby.
Because tonight Elizabeth Gilbert will be appearing at a reading and signing of her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, which I just read two weeks ago and LOVED TO PIECES. Deeply loved. So much so that I keep rereading two key pages of it every day, because they had such a profound effect on me.
So when I found out she was in the midst of a three-week tour to promote the paperback version that’s just come out, and furthermore discovered that she’d be appearing a mere two hours from me, and since I have the kind of husband who says things like, “Whatever my Valentine would like” (swoon!), I knew it was time to shake myself out of my rut and actually put butt in car and drive up there tonight. The only dinner reservations I could get on short notice are for 5:00, but that’s perfect, since we’ll be done before the signing. And I found a nice hotel that doesn’t mind that I’m bringing both a husband and a dog, so really, there was nothing holding me back.
So here’s what I want to say to you: If you love a book–if it’s cheered you or touched you or inspired you or otherwise entertained you–maybe it’s time you do something about it.
I can now say from personal experience that it is a thrill and a half to get a fan letter from a reader. I’ve had other author friends call me and read me theirs. I don’t see how even someone who gets thousands of fan letters would ever tire of hearing from one more person that the book that author wrote actually mattered to someone.
Now that so many authors have websites, what’s to stop you from shooting them a quick e-mail saying, “Hey, loved it. Thank you.” I do it all the time. Perhaps I’m a geek. But I believe in letting people know when I appreciate something they’ve done.
Same with book signings. I’ve heard enough horror stories to know that an author never knows if he or she will be facing a lively crowd or hearing crickets. So if you know that an author whose books you like is coming to town, do that person a favor and show up and be friendly and ask some questions. Writing is a solitary business, so when writers emerge from their tiny, cluttered offices (I know I’m not the only one with clutter issues) to go speak to real live people, it can be a little daunting. Be the kind of reader who makes that effort worthwhile.
So okay, class, here’s your assignment: think of one writer who deserves an e-mail from you today saying you loved his or her book. Then find that author’s website, and don’t hesitate, just write. Doesn’t have to be perfect, doesn’t have to be fancy–just an “I loved your main character, she’s just like me, thanks for understanding,” will do. Or a “Curse you! I only got two hours sleep last night because I couldn’t put your book down!” would be fine. You just might be the person who makes that author think, “Wow, someone really cares. Guess I’ll keep on writing today.”
You think I’m kidding? Trust me, fan letters mean more than you know. So go find your current favorite author’s website now and take time on this Valentine’s Day to send a little love.
Technorati Tags: Reading, Books, Authors, Book Tours, Book Signings, Book Readings, Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love, Writing, Publishing
February 14th, 2007 at 7:13 am
Overheard at 3:00am –
“I CAN’T FIND MY BUNKBED!” screamed the 4-5/6 year old who had fallen out of bed.
Is it wrong of me to tell my wife that I hid her Valentines day present at the store so she wouldn’t find it or the receipt before Valentines because I wanted it to be a surprise?
Would all the ladies of Robin’s blog be my valentines? And Herb, too.
February 14th, 2007 at 7:57 am
Wow — you found a hotel that accepts husbands?
Very cool that you’re going out of your way for Ms. Gilbert. When I was in Austin, a couple drove an hour and a half in yucky, cold rain to see me. Meant a lot!
February 14th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Oooh! Oooh! Congrats on getting to see her and possibly ask questions. That is way cool. I wanna hear all about it!
February 14th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Its sooooo hard to find a hotel that accepts a husband and a dog. Its usually one or the other. Unless your husband was raised by wolves which then would make the hotel/motel’s reluctance understandable.
Patrick, you can be my second valentine. I already have a senior valentine. As far as whether it would be wrong, it’s a good thing the 4-5/6 old has a bunkbed.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Last year my son’s 5th grade class had an assignment to write to their favorite author and ask questions about them, their books, etc. Almost all the kids got responses-one author even sent books, bookmarks, etc., some responses were handwritten, most very cool. My son wrote to Stephen King-his assistant sent back a typewritten note full of typos! A little disappointing, but she did answer his questions. I emailed Audrey Niffennegger this AM as per your suggestion and told her I’d love to read a sequel TT’s Daughter. I want to hear about Gilbert too!
February 14th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Deborah, I e-mailed Audrey Niffenegger, too!
Patrick, on behalf of all the ladies of the blog (and Herb), let me say awwww . . .
Barry, I remember you telling me about that. That was really sweet of those people.
Herb, my husband was raised by wolves, but he’s grown out of it. Somewhat.
Jules, you bet I’ll report!
February 14th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Robin, So when you make a reservation at a hotel the converstion goes like this ” …that’s right a king size bed for 1 adult, 1 canine and 1 canine wannabe. That’s right. No, two water bowls”
February 14th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Today,there’s a hellacious ice/snow/sleet storm brewing outside,so even if a favorite author of mine was appearing nearby,this would not be the time to venture forth to seek him/her. But,things are not so gloomy;I have plenty to read,my family at home and Netflix sent me The Departed on DVD yesterday.
Hope you and your husband have a great Valentine’s Day,Robin and enjoy the EG reading:)
February 14th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Lady T, can’t blame you one bit. I don’t know how you northerners live with weather like that.
Herb, really all they ever ask is if he’s housebroken. Usually I have to lie.
February 14th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
ahem…..if your husband was raised by wolves, that makes me part of the pack! And we all know I did not get my charm and innocence from wolves!
And, although we sometimes claim not to know him it sounds like my oldest brother was well schooled on the chapter covering “How to Be a Good Valentine”!
February 14th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Yes, Sue, he definitely paid attention to that lesson.
February 14th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Sue, it doesn’t change your lineage. It just makes you a charming and innocent wolf.
February 14th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Oops, busted. Outta here.
February 14th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
The Fleece Girl’s Husband
It was a Thursday. FGH(Fleece Girl’s Husband) sat at the table waiting amid the smells of a home cooked dinner. To FGH it felt like a Friday. It had been a long week. Wait, maybe it was Friday.
He quickly glanced at the date on his blackberry.
Yep.
Friday.
Looking around the dining room, he realized he was in the wrong place.
On Fridays he made her home cooked meals at Chili’s and he was in Applebee’s.
“Will your other party be joining you soon?” said the short squat blonde waitress in a voice that sounded like she was trying to care, but was more upset that someone was hogging her table without ordering.
FGH shook his head and threw a ten down on the table for her trouble.
He placed his hand on the head of Moose, the dog, who thought he was a human, and looked into his eyes with compassion.
“It’s not easy being her husband, Moose,” said FGH.
Moose, the dog, who thought he was a human, looked back with those all knowing eyes as if to say “You had me at hello.”
Those eyes, that look, such a subtle yet profound difference from the “One shot, one kill” look when riding in the truck behind a slow driver.
“C’mon boy, let’s go. She’s waiting for me to cook her dinner at Chili’s,” said FGH. He gestured for Moose, the dog, who thought he was human, to follow him.
“Woof,” said Moose, the dog, who thought he was human. As if to say, something deep, meaningful, primal. “Give me the bread from the table.”
“Let’s go, Moose,” he said.
“Woof, woof!” — “Bread please! or maybe “BREAD NOW!
Loving Fleece Girl wasn’t always easy, worrying about her fighting ninjas, remembering where dinner was.
It was always something, and at the moment, Fleece Girl was hungry and waiting. And FGH needed that love.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Patrick, all eerily close to real life, but please–the dog’s name is Bear.
And was your wife surprised at the supreme job you did at hiding her present? Does she even know she got a present for V-Day? Do you know if she did?
February 14th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
This has nothing to do with anything (cept your love for Meryl Streep), but The Bridges of Madison County is on TCM and I came in late, and I’ve been on the phone half the time with it on mute, but I’m soooo squirmy already!!! It’s probably a good thing I need to get up early for work tomorrow, so I have to turn it off… otherwise, I would watch the whole thing, and my roommate would come home to find me sobbing uncontrollably.
Uh-oh…
I get the feeling the movie gods will not allow me to turn off the TV…
February 14th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Oh, Lizzie, give it up now. You’re doomed. Just watch the whole thing, get your cry on, count yourself a better woman for the process.
Some movies just can’t be turned off. Especially not if they involve Meryl.
February 14th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
barry, i would so drive an hour and forty-five minutes to see you. and patrick, way cold not to invite barry to be your valentine, you have to put one power ranger “be mine with attached sucker” card in EVERYONE’S folder, even a 4-5/6 year old knows that.
my live-in valentine got me roses–as in a full-on, needs to planted rose bush, ditto one each for three children and one child’s significant other–is that too cool?–i think so.
February 15th, 2007 at 5:25 am
Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Oops, forgot to get her present out of hiding… She’ll be really surprised today! I’m such a romantic!