John Grisham was in T-Town today picking up the Peggy Helmrich award which has been awarded to some of my favorite authors including Joyce Carol Oates, Margaret Atwood even Neil Simon. I had to watch him from in the alcove, my nose right in the fake evergreen decorations that lined the railing. I was hoping for a signed autograph but he was whisked away immediately following the question and answers.
I found him charming in that genteel southern way that is both enduring and protective. I was somewhat inspired by the fact that of his 18 books published 17 were published by Doubleday who originally passed on his first book, " A Time To Kill", which was rejected by a senior editor there. He said what I hear most writers say, "real writing is in the revisions" and "writing takes discipline and routine", and my personal favorite, "rejection is a part of it".
He also made a couple of statements that I found encouraging. One was, "most great writers are great readers". I think the very reason one writes is because they have been so touched by others who have written.
April 5, Sue Kidd, author of several works will be here.
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