In the Corner, Taking Notes

Wednesday night I went to hear Barbara Kingsolver talk at the Tarrytown Music Hall. (Live Talks NY) I went by myself because I knew Mark would be bored if he came. And, having to make small talk, even with a good friend, is exhausting to me. And I could leave when I wanted to.

I have only been to a couple of author events, Anne Lamott and Ann Patchett. That comprises my list of favorite authors – so it’s no wonder I wanted to hear Barbara Kingsolver speak. I now have the trifecta.

Anne Lamott was MANY years ago, and I had only read her non-fiction at the time. Hearing her speak made me think, I can write! And since I have just finished a re-read of Bird by Bird, I am even more in the camp of I can do this, maybe not get published, but I can do this and it can make me happy.

I saw Ann Patchett speak at our local library several years ago. She was promoting State of Wonder. I love all her fiction books. I read Bel Canto to my daughter. She loved it. I have encouraged her to read Patchett’s other books as well. Her 2004 memoir, Truth & Beauty is an amazing look at love and friendship.

Barbara Kingsolver was promoting her new book Partita. She spoke about the book, she spoke about Demon Copperhead, she spoke about writing and living in Appalachia. It was wonderful.

With each of the author events, what I realized is these are people with whom I would most likely be friends. Each of them is a self-proclaimed introvert. In fact, Barbara Kingsolver put it into words so wonderfully (I’m paraphrasing). “We like to go to parties, but we will be the ones in the corner observing everyone and taking mental notes about whose qualities might end up in the next character.” That’s me! I like my friends, I like talking to them, but often I will ask questions of them more than I speak about myself. Later, I will re-play the conversations in my head and wonder how I can put those thoughts into my writing.

Barbara Kingsolver also talked about growing up in Appalachia. She was a musician and received a music scholarship to college. She put it this way, and again, I’m paraphrasing: “Reading and music took me away to something more beautiful and larger than my life.” As a child, I don’t think you realize your need or desire to find something more beautiful, but realizing as an adult that you had these escapes that led you to something grander is an important perspective to have.

Maybe that’s one of the reasons I read to my children for so long. I was able to open a window to another world, another person’s feelings. I allowed them to listen and ask questions if they wanted or just sit with it.

Barbara Kingsolver put her reading and music abilities to good use, getting a music scholarship and becoming a Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

So, if you’re wondering if you should go to the author event, or write that essay, or story – the answer is YES!

You never know where it may lead you.

And you might make some friends along the way or at least realize that it’s okay to be in the corner and observe “your people”.