Author Dreams

I've met a few authors in my time in the field. Because I'm obsessed with literature, I often go to functions where I hear an author speak. I even can say that a friend of mine is a good YA author, and a well-received one at that. But I don't think it ever gets old to meet and actually talk to this person whose words you idealize.

My dissertation I just turned in largely dealt with a trilogy of novels by Denise Mina. She, along with Ian Rankin, formed the backbone of my argument and provided the most examples of my arguments. So when I found out that she would be speaking just up the road from me, it was too good to be true.

I was the youngest person there tonight by a good few years I think. And definitely the only one taking notes. I noticed that. My first impressions of Mina was what she was wearing - a rather cute dress, but she had jogging capris on underneath and slippers on her feet. I love writers. We often care so much about what other people think, and want people to like our words and connect with our stories. But there's an interesting thing I've noticed over my years of seeing writers read and talk - they're always casual. Carol, my YA writing friend, often wore these awesome band t-shirts to class, and even at one of the conferences we attended with her. I guess it's nice to feel like I fit in with this crowd - ask anyone, getting me into a dress is an amazing accomplishment. I do it on Sunday for a few hours, but if I could wear pants, I totally would. Paul's actually complained because I'm rarely dressed up and he'd like me to be less casual sometimes. I just think it's funny. But I love the whole notion I got with just my first impression of seeing Mina tonight.

Mina's not only written crime fiction, but she's also delved into graphic novels, comics, and other plays and short stories. But of course I was there to hear her ideas on crime fiction as a genre. And to hear her speak at all. You know, the normal author crush that you develop.

Anyway, she talked quite a bit about the high and low art distinctions, and how people view her genre. It's hard to write critically about crime fiction when the movement is still in the justification stages. Most critics are trying to defend it as a legitimate genre, and I just want to move past all of that and SHOW it's legitimate by writing about it in the first place. But what struck me was something Mina said - "I do love that people feel a little embarrassed for reading crime fiction." How funny. Mina pointed out that it's a cult thing, and with that embarrassment makes it a little bit more fun to write and to read. I think she meant that it's a guilty pleasure that she likes to enjoy, and likes her readers to enjoy it. And there's a negative aspect that comes with being seen as too literary - then sometimes you've lost that connection with your reader. Admit it, as a casual reader, you're less likely to go for the "literary" novel because just the definition makes it sound deep and frustrating to make it through. If it remains that guilty pleasure, people are allowed to read it and enjoy it on their own terms.

As an aspiring writer myself, I always listen for little tidbits about why people became a writer, and the advice they give as well. There's always someone in the audience who asks the questions, so I never feel like I have to. Mina discussed that at one time, she had been working towards her PhD, but didn't feel connected to academia. She liked it, but didn't push herself because the thought was always at the back of her head that she was really a novelist. It's an interesting parallel to my own life. Except that I actually like academia and want to be a part of both worlds. Which does happen. But there was something that she said that really resonated with me - "Be that (a writer) or shut up and do this better." It's an interesting way to motivate yourself. If you're going to follow your dream, do it. Don't keep putting it off and saying some day. Confront that dream head on and GO FOR IT. Considering some other events of the last few days, it resonated with me so much more I think.

After her talk, and a beautiful reading, I got my copy of Garnethill signed. She laughed when she noticed all of the flags and asked what they were for. I explained that I had used it in my dissertation and she asked me to give her a rundown of my thesis. She liked the idea and wrote "Thank you" in my book. How very cool is that?! I love writers.

Well, that's my rambling about my Mina experience. There's more to say, but I don't want to bore people. I might write more on it, but only bits that struck me or something.