Léna is also a Regional Manager for Writopia Lab whose mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in kids and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

"Well, the question is, what do you want to believe? Do you want to live in a world where things are possible, or in one where they aren't?" Cin, Edges.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Authors Want to Share . . .

A landscape of a park in Moab, Utah.Image via Wikipedia
. . . themselves and their work.

I was thrilled to be invited to my first book group as an "author" Saturday afternoon in my new home-town of Katonah. I made my "debut" last December, and have been to numerous bookstores across the NorthEast, but had yet to partake in a more intimate setting: it was a mother-daughter book group, and they have been meeting since the girls started third grade. Now the "daughters" are finishing eighth grade and they had just read my novel Edges.

It was a mere ten minutes away from my own home, yet a part of Katonah unknown to me. Minutes after I arrived, the rain started to pour, creating an atmosphere of coziness and warmth. Five mother/daughter pairs and I adjourned from snacking in the dining room to a lovely sitting room. They asked if I would read a passage from Edges and I happily obliged, introducing everyone to The Moonflower Motel in Moab, Utah. We then spent the next 90 minutes engaged in a lively discussion, with excellent questions, mostly centered around the writing and publishing process.

We authors LOVE being invited places to share ourselves and talk about our work. Most of us aren't best selling authors like James Patterson or Nora Roberts - although I bet even they make time for intimate gatherings.  (I know my grandmother, best-selling author Madeleine L'Engle always did!)

Writing is a solitary endeavor, yet we write not only for ourselves, but for others. We want our words to be read, and to spark dialogue, whether it's reader to reader, or reader to author. Everyone brings their own experience, background and even mood to what they read - it's endlessly fascinating.

Edges itself is a polarizing book - people tend to have extreme reactions to it. And I'm good with that. I respect myself as a writer -  I am true to myself and the stories I write.

Your engagement with an author enriches their lives as well. So I encourage you to reach out! If you have read a book recently that touched you in some way, write to the author. Don't be afraid you are "bothering" them. You will get an appreciative response, and maybe even a new pen pal.

And I will be writing more "fan" letters myself . . . I am especially looking forward to starting a mother/daughter book group myself in a couple of years, once my daughter starts third grade!
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10 comments:

  1. What an awesome experience. How about a fan letter: Dear Lena, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading "Edges", again. I also wanted to thank your gran, through you, for "A Ring of Endless Light" it is my go to book for sad days. Thanks for sharing yourself with us.

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  2. Tanti Baci to you, oh Word Diva!

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  3. Bookstores across the NorthEast AND a bookstore in the MidAtlantic, where we're still talking about your visit and Edges. Thank you for the post. I usually don't contact authors because I often think they won't be as warm and receptive as you are. After reading this post, I'm composing letters in my head.

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  4. That trip was AH-mazing! You never know until you put yourself out there! Thank YOU so much for taking the risk and befriending me by commenting on my blog and reading my book - it led to a beautiful friendship - I miss you!

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