If you could dine with any author, and I do mean any whether alive or dead (yes, we're going into the realms of time travel - but hey, we have science fiction writers on this chain so we can always ask for them to write up the time machine specs), who would you want to dine with? And if you can ask them for advice on one writing element you feel you might be struggling at, what would it be?
Well, okay, I'd love to have a beer with Stephen King and just shoot the sh*t. A meal with David Sedaris would probably be awesome whether low-key or hilarious. And if I chose Jamie Oliver, he might cook. :)
But for a full dinner with hours of like-minded conversation, I choose Carl Sagan. Dad is a retired science teacher, so I grew up hearing Sagan's voice on TV a lot. I really liked The Demon-Haunted World. And I think our world views were very similar. Unfortunately, Sagan died in 1996, so I'd need a little time-space continuum flaw to get to him. But the funny thing is: I know exactly where we'd eat. My friend Devin's dad owns and runs the John Thomas Steakhouse in Ithaca, NY, and apparently Sagan enjoyed eating there. Plus, it's the best steak I've ever had (seriously, you should make a trip)(pluggity-plug).
I haven't read Sagan's fiction, and I don't write nonfiction, so I wondered for a moment what I would ask him, writing-wise. But then I stepped back and remembered why he was such a great force in popular science: he could explain it to anyone. I would ask him about his approach to his readers. Did he imagine a particular person to write for? What kinds of questions did he ask himself about his readers before he wrote for them? Did he consciously try to connect to so many different kinds of minds, or did it just work out that way?
Don't miss Cole's super post from yesterday or Kate's answer tomorrow.
10 ate pie:
Awesome answer. I like that you've never read his books because I'm a firm believer that we can learn something from anyone if we open ourselves up.
Great post! I never considered authors I've never read before. There are so many I would consider.
Great choice! I love the questions you'd ask him. :)
Cole - I've only read his nonfiction. I agree about opening up to learn from everyone. Every one of us has a talent and the skills that come from it.
Michelle + Abby - He taught me a lot of other stuff; I figure he'd have some interesting words on writing fiction, too.
Really great answer! And the place you chose to eat sounds soooo good. You can't go wrong with an awesome steak.
It's yum - I can see why he liked it. Plus, it's quiet enough for good conversation.
Oooo now he would be interesting, great choice!
Great choice!
Re: where to start with Somerset M. I'm no expert about his works, but I did enjoy The Razor's Edge very much.
Oooh, good choice! I do think, while we write the stories we want/need to write, it is important to keep readers in mind. Ultimately, we want to share our work with others.
Michelle - I think it'd be fascinating.
Laura - I'll check it out - thanks!
Sarah - I've read it's good to have a particular (even if imaginary) reader in mind to get in the storytelling groove. I have a tough time picturing that person. I'm afraid to limit myself.
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