Brief Lessons from Elizabeth Strout

Monday, March 30, 2009

Elizabeth Strout in person is just as interesting, complex, and ultimately original as her own Olive Kitteridge. I liked her at once, and very much.

She read from "Security." She spoke of the ways that writing involves one's whole heart, also one's liver. She said that every sentence counts, and also: There is no room for sogginess. You put down your coffee cup when you write, she said. You step past and through.

Oh, Libby, I said to my friend afterward. She makes me want to write an entirely different kind of book. Makes me want to write. Again.

I should have had my fill of books by now. I should have. I have not.

9 comments:

Saints and Spinners said...

I am glad that you have not yet had your fill of books.

Sherry said...

How Do authors do that?

(Yay!)

Q said...

If you ever get your fill of books, I will feel very sorry for you, indeed. I hope you keep writing and growing through books.

And then there are my selfish motives, like how I want to read more of your books. But you can ignore those, if you like.

Anonymous said...

It's wonderful to be invigorated like that!

Tessa said...

I do most fervently hope, Beth, that you have not had your fill of books, nor will you ever tire of putting your lyrically magical words on the page. Especially as I'm enthralled and delighted and utterly riveted by 'Still Love in Strange Places'. It is a book that I know I will treasure forever - and I've only just begun.

Beth Kephart said...

Thank you.

I feel free as a bird imagining books not yet written. Then I remember how hard it all is—not just the story making, but the story selling, afterward.

Maya Ganesan said...

Beth -- you make me want to write. You inspire me in so many ways, every day, with every post.

Mama Freemans' cafe' said...

There is no end to good books yet to read. My dad is 84 and we still share books. We just finished "The Kite Runner" Books are my way to travel and meet people. I live in Nebraska on a farm and dont see people other than my husband for days at a time. We are not travelers so books are my way of travelling

Em said...

Oh Ho, I sure haven't had my fill of your books. ;-)

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