A Tribute to Authors

A Tribute to Authors

First, a quote from Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life ~
"For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a mircle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die."

Oh, Anne. Oh, you guys. That expresses my feelings about books and reading SO WELL.

I have loved books - and reading - all my life. This quote says so well what my emotional response to words is like; they're as necessary as food, water, vitamins and love. As required as breathing. Books help me heal when I'm down and make me laugh and lift me up. Books let me share an author's thoughts and feelings and adventures (which I only want to share vicariously) and genius; they make me cry, love, think ... FEEL. There is nothing so satisfactory to a reader as the beauty of a phrase, a well thought out metaphor or simile, a snarky comment by the MC, a unique relationship, a surprising but satisfactory end, a story that touches the heart. And then becomes ... unforgettable. A classic.

I'm thankful for books - especially for the greatest Book of all, and its Author - and for writers who as such brilliant wordsmiths, share their gift with readers. Whether they're hurled out, gently placed, messy, suspenseful or delightfully funny, I love their words. I "see" the graphic pictures in my head and live vicariously, until the last page is turned, in the world of those characters.

I'm thankful for Courtney - who allows me to move her commas around, un-dangle her particples and unite her infinitives (which tumble from her super creative, genius brain in beautiful draft form) and even swap a word here and there. She let's me SHARE her writing process. Oh, how satisfactory it is - the joy, the fun, the creation of, the WRITING (I have the fun and she does all the hard work, I hasten to add), the inspiration of it all. And I'm thankful for a family who fosters my love for books. For my parents who always, always found money for books even when money was short everywhere else, and for Ron and Matt who are always ready to "talk books."

It's such a community. The one inside our heads. The ability to  share what's tumbling around in there. The blessing of meeting other writers ... who UNDERSTAND, who "get it." I enjoy it so!

It seems very appropriate to post my tribute today. This afternoon the hubs and I will see The Hunger Games (we're too "old" to attend midnight premiers - we like to watch our movies, not "nap" through them).  I'm excited in a very impatient, can't wait kind of way, but I want to SAY OUT LOUD: this is not just a movie. REMEMBER! The Hunger Games started Life as a book, a series of books. I can't help but think of Suzanne Collins - did she dream that one day the words she thought of and put on paper, words that conjured such graphic images for her readers, would end up on the big screen? I wonder how it felt to let her words go out of her heart and into the hands of actors and actresses for their interpretation (not to mention directors and all the general, digital geekiness that's involved in making a good movie). What if they didn't 'get it.'  Must be scary,  and at the same time,  very wonderful.

But yes, scary.

The movie reviews are good. The writers I know, those who saw it last night, liked it, loved it, were awed by it. I'll probably feel that way, too. But my hat's off to you, Suzanne Collins! Thank you for creating Katniss and Peeta and Gale, all the characters (and yes, even Haymitch) and for allowing us to share their World!

Thank you, Authors, for sharing your incredible imagination; you inspire us, entertain us and make us feel.

Salute!

PS later that night - the movie version of The Hunger Games did not disappoint! We loved it!