For this month’s installment of “When Readers Listen,” Abbie and I are writing about The Longform Podcast, #148: Anna Holmes. You can listen to it here.
What it taught me about reading: In regards to online reading, it seems we are in a culture where a lot of what’s written is written in a tone that sounds like screaming. This summer in particular, I’ve been running the movie Network’s famous line, “I’m mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore” in my head. It seems as though the reaction to any story is always outrage, and nobody can ask a question about something and not get blown to bits on the internet. As I listened to this podcast, I thought about this reactionary effect that’s come about lately. It makes me sad.
What it taught me about writing: My favorite part about this episode was the anecdote Ms Holmes shared about an essay topic she pitched regarding the parallels between the protagonists in Harriet the Spy and To Kill a Mockingbird. First of all, I want to read this essay. Second of all, she said that this topic had been marinating for years. I was encouraged when I heard she thought and thought about a topic before she wrote about it. I worry there won’t be time to write the stories I have in my head, but the way I like to write is slow and steady. I have never been able to process a thing quickly, so hearing a writer allow time for an idea to sit was encouraging.
I also liked Ms Holmes advice on getting started: “Put something down on paper.” I always feel better once I’ve written a sentence or two. I can work with what’s there. It’s what hasn’t been put down that aggravates me.
Finally, Ms Holmes said she doesn’t re-read her work. “It’s over; it’s done,” she said. I re-read everything I’ve written that’s been published, especially when I think I can’t write another word (which is every day). I re-read it and say, “See? You did it. You can probably do it again.”
Favorite quotations:
“What sorts of stories do young adults want to interact with and encounter?”
“You don’t have to be interested in one thing.”
“Write the site [book, essay] you want to read.”
“Twitter is exhausting.”
Make sure to hop over to Inkwell and Images to read Abbie’s thoughts on this podcast.
I love that you re-read your own writing to give yourself a pep-talk. I’ve never thought to do that, but I suppose it holds true: if you can do it once, you can do it again.
(I also want to read that TKAM & Harriet the Spy essay. Found it here: http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/how-to-be-a-good-bad-american-girl – Let me know your thoughts?!?)