This semester, we've gotten to talk to a lot of author's on the phone. Tonight, I got to hear
Laurie Halse Anderson Speak in person, and it was one of the most
amazing experiences I've ever had. Laurie came to St. Louis County Library to promote her latest book,
Forge, the second in a series about escaped slaves in the Revolutionary War. As she started her talk with cute and funny pictures of her as a child, I was instantly captivated by her charisma and humor. Unlike the author's in our phone interviews, Laurie spent some time telling us about her background, which was really interesting to hear. As she continued, she dispensed some of the wisdom she's gained as a writer (revise,
revise, REVISE!) and told us about her writing process. Let me just say, she has
so much passion and love for what she does it's absolutely inspiring. Just in her research for
Chains and
Forge, Laurie read secondary sources, studied primary sources, road tripped to Valley Forge, cooked like Revolutionary soldiers at her sustainable home, and even took a walk in the snow with wool socks and a blanket as her only real sources of warmth. For
Wintergirls, she dropped 25 pounds (under doctor
supervision) and experienced the constant hunger of her character Lia. I was awestruck by her passion and knowledge, and can't say enough how amazing it was to hear her. After her talk, Laurie stayed for ages to answer questions, sign books, and take photos with fans. I have to admit, even I became a total fangirl when it came to my turn to have my book signed. Even now, I'm so excited to have gotten the chance to meet her and I can't believe what a truly beautiful soul she is. As I reminisce about the great experience, I'm left with my signed book, blurry cell phone photo, and amazing memories.
-Shannon Hunt
supervision) and experienced the constant hunger of her character Lia. I was awestruck by her passion and knowledge, and can't say enough how amazing it was to hear her. After her talk, Laurie stayed for ages to answer questions, sign books, and take photos with fans. I have to admit, even I became a total fangirl when it came to my turn to have my book signed. Even now, I'm so excited to have gotten the chance to meet her and I can't believe what a truly beautiful soul she is. As I reminisce about the great experience, I'm left with my signed book, blurry cell phone photo, and amazing memories.
I was so happy and proud to be a fellow member of the audience last night! Shannon is so right: Laurie is a beautiful soul. In fact, in the car on the way home, I told nine-year-old Ethan (who himself was raving about Laurie and who clutched his signed books like treasure) that Laurie is an old soul. She exudes worldliness, wisdom, and compassion.
ReplyDeleteAfter the reading, I stood in the signing line and watched as a group of approximately 12 sixth grade girls clustered behind Laurie so that their teacher could get a picture. The camera wouldn't go off and wouldn't go off, but Laurie just laughed and smiled and waited. She never once indicated that this was taking too long, though the line stretched so far around the corner we couldn't see the end of it. Same thing when the next person in line, a librarian, pulled out approximately 20 paperback copies of CHAINS for Laurie to sign. Politeness rules say that you generally don't ask an author to sign more than 2 or 3 books. Their hands get tired from all that signing! But Laurie never flinched at that towering stack of paperbacks. And then she posed for a picture with the librarian just the same.
I feel lucky to know Laurie and to have such a loving human being in our field.
I wish I would have looked at this before I would have tried to go! It looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteKaylin
Shannon, it looks like you had a great time! I really wish I would have been able to go, but my sorority's chapter meets on Tuesdays. Thank you for writing about it and sharing your pictures with us!
ReplyDeleteAbby Kilian